Derby-born Lee Williamson grabbed United's late leveller in Saturday's Championship encounter.

The midfielder struck in injury-time to ensure that United's hard work was rewarded with a point.

After going 592 minutes without conceding in the league at Bramall Lane, Robbie Savage gave Derby the lead before United bossed the second half.

Nosworthy, Kallio and Yeates all made their full home debuts and Evans was recalled for the home encounter. The injured duo of Morgan and Harper missed out, whilst Ward and Geary dropped to the bench. Derby gave a full debut to former Blade Tonge, whilst Hulse also started.

With only three recognised defenders in the starting eleven, the visitors would have been wondering how United would line up and it was quickly evident that Montgomery would start at right-back with Nosworthy and Kallio the new pairing in central defence. Evans joined Henderson - captain the absence of Monday - in attack, with Cresswell switching to the left side of midfield.

With a completely different back four from the one that started the previous home game, it was understandable that they would take time to gel, although the visitors almost took advantage. On three minutes Stewart's quick free-kick backfired and after Commons outstripped Kallio down the flank, his cross was deflected just wide at the near post by Hulse. The Derby striker, and Nosworthy, connected with Bunn in the incident and the Blades goalkeeper needed treatment before continuing.

United were appealing for a penalty soon after when Yeates was impeded by McEveley from Cresswell's cross but there was no award and the subsequent shot by Williamson was snuffed out. Worse was to follow as Derby netted with their next opportunity - a speculative effort.

With 17 minutes gone, the Blades half-cleared a throw-in from the left but the ball fell invitingly for SAVAGE to hammer back a first-time effort, who flew beyond Bunn's right hand and into the net.

In less than a minute after the restart, United had a chance to respond. Yeates, prominent early on, provided a cross from the right and after Henderson headed down, the difficult to control shot from Williamson was just wide.

The dangerous Commons got the better of Nosworthy and saw his shot turned around the post by Bunn as the goal boosted the visitors. Pearson was also causing problems on the left flank.

The name of Williamson was the first to be taken by referee Salisbury, for either a foul on Commons or subsequent dissent, whilst the Derby player was soon back on his feet and forcing Bunn into another save.

As the interval drew near the Blades began to push the visitors back but a number of stray passes and break downs in communication on the pitch ensured that the half-time whistle was greeted with indications of displeasure by Unitedites.

Blackwell sent out the same eleven for the second period and the Blades continued with the same momentum they finished the first half, although Derby created the first chance, Green sweeping Tonge's cross onto the roof of the net.

Yeates was keen to get on the ball but he was unable to trouble Bywater with two shots early in the second half. The first, after getting the better of Savage, was well off target with his unfavoured left foot and the second was a 25-yard free-kick which flew over the crossbar.

Kallio was the second to be booked, again for a foul on Commons, whilst Bunn needed more treatment, the result of the early clash, and also relinquished goal-kicking duties.
Ward taking the place of Henderson, with Cresswell moving to a central role, was boss Blackwell's first change and Montgomery was again the replacement captain.

A forced change was next, with Bunn finally succumbing and Bennett taking over in goal, whilst the manager's final throw of the dice was introducing Camara for Evans.

The majority of the attacking intent was now coming from United and a double chance on 72 minutes left the home fans wondering when a change of luck was coming. In a similar fashion to how Savage gave Derby the lead, Stewart's long range effort was parried by Bywater and the follow up, from Camara, was kept out by a combination of the goalkeeper and Buxton.

United's opportunities continued but the clock was ticking down. From a Yeates corner, Stewart swept the ball wide at the near post and a good move between substitutes Ward and Camara went unrewarded.

On 85 minutes the hard-working Yeates danced through the midfield but from his lay-off Camara's shot was blocked by McEveley and then, from an accurate Quinn cross, Cresswell headed wide, under pressure from two defenders.

Just before the fourth official announced that five injury-time minutes would be played, Quinn's powerful effort struck Barker but United's endeavour was finally rewarded in the first minute of the additional period.

Yeates was again involved, trying to forage his way through the Derby defence and Camara was also well-placed but the ball dropped nicely for WILLIAMSON, who composed himself before firing under the body of Bywater.

In the final minute of the additional time United went close once more, Buxton deflecting Williamson's cross into the arms of Bywater, but despite picking up just a point, the Blades fans were appreciative of the efforts at the final whistle.

Blades: Bunn (Bennett 68), Montgomery, Nosworthy, Henderson (Ward 63), Evans (Camara 70), Yeates, Williamson, Cresswell, Stewart, Quinn, Kallio.
Unused: France, Little, Geary, Fortune.

Derby: Bywater, McEveley, Green, Savage, Hulse (Anderson 90), Commons (Porter 83), Barker, Pearson (Teale 72), Buxton, Tonge, Hunt.
Unused: Deeney, Pringle, Moxey, Vidal.