The Blades policy of fielding first-year scholars continued against Barnsley on Saturday and an encouraging performance earnt them a deserved point.
Rueben Noble-Lazarus, who made his first-team debut last season, put the Tykes in front, only for stand-in skipper Kingsley Williams to reply for the Blades from the penalty spot.
Barnsley were immediately on the front foot and took the lead as early as the 6th minute, NOBLE-LAZARUS beating Pomares and powering the ball past Andrew.
United responded well and looked threatening from several set-pieces with Gregory and Slew coming the closest to a leveller.
Williams and Murray were dictating proceedings in midfield, whilst Pennycooke-Morgan and Lammy were proving a real handful on the flanks.
In the 44th minute the Blades pressure was rewarded, a free-kick wasn't cleared properly and as Maguire tried to control to loose ball he was bundled down in the area. WILLIAMS confidently stepped up to convert from the spot.
The second-half saw the visitors continue where they had left off, with Murray, Williams and Gregory all involved in a number of free-flowing moves.
Pennycooke-Morgan, Lammy and Slew caught Barnsley out on the counter-attack on three occasions but the trio were unable to finish when well positioned.
A through ball freed Slew but the striker elected to shot rather than square the ball to Lammy who would have had an open net to aim at.
In the final minute only some last ditched defending denied Gregory, who deserved a goal for his endeavours.
An upbeat Kevin Fogg was full of praise for his young side and believes their first win isn't too far round the corner:
"It was an encouraging display given how many first-years we had in the starting line-up.
"The spirit and attitude was first-class and we also got the ball down and played when possible.
"The lads can be proud of themselves and on another day we would have won the game, but the confidence and purpose of our performance is a major positive."
Blades: Andrew, O'Kane, Pomares (Roe 75), Williams, Darlow, Maguire (James 60), Pennycooke-Morgan, Murray, Slew, Gregory, Lammy.
Unused: Foster, Billard, Wilkinson.
