The Blades were the better side and forced the visitors back in the second half but Camp made at least five impressive saves to earn Forest a share of the points in a repeat of the score between the sides at Bramall Lane last season.

Boss Blackwell made three changes - two of which were enforced - for Forest's visit. In came Bunn, Taylor and Evans, whilst making way were the injured Ikeme, ill Kallio and Williamson, who dropped to the bench and was joined by goalkeeper Bennett and striker Camara, both back after injury.

The inclusion of Evans suggested United would revert to a 4-4-2 system and that proved to be the case with the Welshman partnering Cresswell in attack as the rain began to fall at kick-off. It took just 33 seconds for the Blades to work a half chance, Evans stepped over a Ward cross but Cresswell was unable to hit the target with his shot on the turn.

In an opening 15 minutes devoid of serious chances, Blackstock twice found himself in good positions but was unable to find the target and then McKenna curled into the arms of Bunn after Ward, Walker and Morgan had all surrendered possession.

The Blades hit back with a free-kick from Evans, which was blocked, and then the same player tried his luck from 35 yards after Forest's Morgan had given the ball away but Camp repositioned himself quickly to make a comfortable save.

Chances continued to be at a premium throughout the half as both sides struggled to deal with the slippery conditions underfoot, although Blackstock was involved at both ends of the pitch as half-time approached. Firstly, he was halted by Bunn rushing from his line to make a save and then the striker appeared to pull back Evans in the opposite penalty area but referee Haines ignored United's claims for a spot-kick.

United were on the offensive for much of the three additional minutes at the end of the first period but once again opportunities to break the deadlock were greatly restricted.

The second half began with a similar pattern to the first, once again it was the midfielders in the thick of the action. Camp dropped a corner but United were unable to capitalise, whilst on the hour an Earnshaw shot was wide, although the Forest players argued that they should have had a corner because of a deflection.

Just after the hour mark United went close twice in one move. Firstly, Camp parried out Ward's header from Quinn's cross and before the visitors could completely clear their lines, Montgomery hammered in a shot which struck Cresswell as the striker retreated from the penalty area. A moment later Blackwell used the first of his substitutions, bringing on Camara for Evans.

There were signs of United getting on top, with the Kop getting excited at another chance on 68 minutes. Harper's ball over Forest's defence was slightly beyond the onrushing Quinn, although he did get the slightest touch and forced Camp into another save.

The crowd was lifted and Quinn and Ward switched flanks to cause more headaches for Forest. On 73 minutes Camara held off two defenders but his shot was saved at the second attempt by Camp.

Moments later there was a chance at either end within the space of 20 seconds. A shot by Earnshaw was blocked by Morgan and a quick United break ensued but Camara and Quinn were both denied by saves from the overworked Camp.

Kilgallon then found himself in the box on 78 minutes but, unfortunately for him, Quinn could only put it on his right foot, and Camp once again saved, this time storming off his line to cut down the angle.

More substitutions followed in the final ten minutes, whilst Forest were attempting to slow the game down to protect a point, in much the same way that they did in the corresponding fixture last season.

Montgomery and Kilgallon picked up bookings, the latter in strange circumstances which can only be explained by the referee, whilst five minutes of added time at the end of the half was welcomed more by the home fans.

United won two throws in dangerous positions and a corner, whilst the visitors also won a set piece, in the final minute of the extra but had they scored from it - and a McCleary shot which followed - it would have been an injustice.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Evans (Camara 62), Harper, Taylor, Cresswell, Ward, Quinn (Stewart 86), Walker.
Unused: France, Williamson, Bennett, Little, Geary.

Forest: Camp, Shorey, Chambers, Morgan, Wilson, Anderson (McCleary 60), Earnshaw (Tyson 84), Cohen, Gunter, McKenna, Blackstock (Adebola 74).
Unused: McGugan, McGoldrick, Smith, Majewski.