Webber's late equaliser saves the day for Blades

Sheffield United 2 Millwall

Dan Murphy
Sunday 20 November 2005 01:00 GMT
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Sheffield may remain top of the League and Millwall still be adrift at the bottom, but this was an even contest for all but the frenetic closing stages. Indeed, the leaders almost lost their unbeaten home record and had to rely on a late equaliser from Danny Webber to deny Millwall their first League win in 10 games and two months.

David Unsworth's fifth-minute opener had put Sheffield ahead before two goals from Bruce Dyer appeared to have set up an unlikely away win. "We feel disappointed that we haven't got the three points," Colin Lee, the Millwall manager, said. "But we've done quite well away from home all season - the problem is we haven't won at home yet."

Sheffield began the match much as they were to end it - on the attack. Vincent Pericard should have put them ahead early on, only to hit the post. But Alan Quinn's short corner, soon after, allowed Steve Kabba to back-heel the ball into Unsworth's path. The full-back's typically powerful drive found the top corner.

Yet Millwall became more daring, their raids more frequent, and the reward was an equaliser 11 minutes before the break. Alan Dunne, the game's outstanding player, created the chance that allowed Dyer, on loan from Stoke, to head home.

Sheffield's first noteworthy attack after the break saw Nick Montgomery's drive beaten away, but with red-and-white shirts committed forward, Millwall seized their moment. After a sweeping break, Dunne's shot was palmed away by Paddy Kenny, leaving Dyer to head into an unguarded net. Paul Ifill and Phil Jagielka both hit the bar in the second half before Webber, a substitute, turned in Quinn's header for his fifth goal of the season.

In added time, Chris Morgan was sent off for stamping on Carl Asaba. It was an act borne of desperation as Millwall held firm.

"You're going to get games like this," Warnock said. "We didn't defend as a team and, even though they had a lot of luck, they deserved their point."

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