Blades force Boro into FA Cup replay

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

SHEFFIELD, England (AFP) — Middlesbrough rode their luck to stay in the FA Cup despite often being outplayed in a goalless fifth-round draw by a rejuvenated Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane here on Sunday.

The Blades failed to hand new manager Kevin Blackwell a winning start in his first game since succeeding Bryan Robson but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

The Championship strugglers dominated for large periods against top-flight Boro, who enjoyed a threatening spell midway through the second-half but in the main looked anything but the higher-ranked team.

Blackwell wasted little time in signaling his attacking intent, selecting three forwards in his starting line-up for a game he felt confident of winning.

With several unfancied teams...