Andy Liddell's 2005 love-affair with the FA Cup continued as United booked a fifth round tie with Arsenal.

Liddell, who scored twice in the third round against Aston Villa, was again the hero as United beat West Ham after a penalty shoot-out.

He opened the scoring with a first half free-kick, whilst Teddy Sheringham levelled from the penalty spot after Chris Morgan was sent off.

Sheringham then missed in the shoot-out after extra-time could not produce a winner and it was left to Liddell to net the final penalty.

West Ham, like Ipswich the previous weekend, forced United to kick towards the Kop in the first half but it failed to ruin the home side's early tactics and the crowd were enthused by a lively start.

With the likes of Shaw, Liddell and Tonge seeing a lot of possession, West Ham were forced to commit a number of fouls in the initial stages to contain the attacks.

With just three minutes gone Cullip's free kick was brought down by Tonge, but Ferdinand cleared at the decisive moment.

However, the visiting side failed to learn their lesson as Fletcher felled Shaw in a dangerous position on the edge of the box on eight minutes. LIDDELL stepped up to drill powerfully past Bywater's left hand and into the bottom corner.

With the Hammers fans quiet, United continued to make the running and a shot from Jagielka was deflected wide after a Liddell cross, whilst soon after Chadwick was forced to hobble off.

United had a great chance to double the lead on 19 minutes following a mistake by Mackay. His short back header put Gray in but Bywater was off his line and spared his captain's blushes with a comfortable save.

United also went close from West Ham's first real chance on 28 minutes! Sheringham's free-kick was blocked and Tonge and Jagielka masterminded a breakaway against a stretched defence, however, the visitors had enough bodies back to clear when Gray attempted to slide the ball home.

Harewood and Noble then shot over as the Hammers threatened to force their way back into the tie.

On 36 minutes Bromby and Liddell worked a move down the right, resulting in Gray, desperate for a goal, having a shot blocked but the final chance of the half fell to former England striker Sheringham.

From Ferdinand's pass down the right channel, indecision and a slip from Kenny gave Sheringham too much space around the six yard box but he delayed a split-second too long and his effort was deflected over the crossbar by Harley.

There had been spells of sunshine inside the Lane during the first half, a shower fell as the players left the pitch at half-time, whilst the changing climate continued at the start of the second half as the rain passed over.

Possibly the wet surface contributed to an open start to the second half. Bromby was slightly quicker than Sheringham to Harewood's cross and then Tonge's shot on the break was pushed away by Bywater.

A 30-yard free-kick from Sheringham was just over the angle of post and crossbar and Bywater was called into action again to keep out Gray before the game swung dramatically into the visiting side's favour on 61 minutes.

Morgan had already been booked for clashing with Harewood but after Sheringham's flick on, the Blades skipper's only way of stopping the former Forest striker was to foul him. Referee Clattenburg appeared to dish out a straight red card to Morgan, whilst further punishment was inflicted when SHERINGHAM sent Kenny the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

Warnock threw on Geary, sacrificing Shaw, with Bromby moving into a central role. Moments later Harewood hit a half-volley towards the near post but United, numerically disadvantaged, did well to stem West Ham's momentum.

In fact, a Harley cross caused problems, Liddell's free-kick added confusion, whilst, with five minutes remaining, Jagielka first hit a shot and then attempted a header against a nervous Hammers defence.

United looked strong in the closing minutes but could not prevent the game from heading to extra-time for the right to meet the Gunners.

Cullip had taken over the captain's armband and he ensured that United kicked towards the Bramall Lane end in the first period of extra-time. The wind was now causing major problems for both sides but United again looked more than capable, despite being down to ten men.

United forced a number of corners and the Hammers looked less than comfortable but the closest any side came was a Montgomery shot which was deflected wide.

After the short break, tired legs were becoming evident on both sides and neither goalkeeper was really tested although an unmarked Mullins headed over from eight yards on 115 minutes, whilst Bromby blocked from Harewood.

Ferdinand fired over from long range and a late header from Jagielka failed to prevent the prospect of penalties.

PENALTIES (Blades first)

GRAY...SCORED, to goalkeeper's left.

SHERINGHAM...SAVED, by Kenny diving to left.

TONGE...MISSED, blasted over the top.

HAREWOOD...SAVED, by Kenny diving to left.

JAGIELKA...MISSED, sidefooted wide.

NOBLE...SCORED, although Kenny got his hand to it.

HARLEY...SCORED, blasted low down the middle.

FLETCHER...MISSED, blasted over the bar.

LIDDELL...SCORED, to Bywater's left - get in!

Blades: Kenny, Bromby, Harley, Cullip, Morgan, Jagielka, Montgomery, Tonge, Liddell, Shaw (Geary 64), Gray. Unused: Quinn, Thirlwell, Forte, Cadamarteri.
Hammers: Bywater, Repka, Ferdinand, Mackay, Powell, Reo-Coker, Fletcher, Chadwick (Mullins 15), Noble, Sheringham, Harewood. Unused: Walker, Lomas, Cohen, Ward.