Kevin Blackwell was proud of his players despite a frustrating encounter at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.

United were unable to respond to Robert Earnshaw's fourth minute goal, had Darius Henderson sent off and also suffered more injuries, most notably Derek Geary having to leave the City Ground pitch before half-time.

In his assessment of the game, Blackwell said: "We tried to get at them whenever we could but didn't get the breaks when it mattered the most. I thought we played well and created more than Forest.

"It was frustrating from the start, to concede from a set-piece. We know who should have been marking and the lad has put his hands up so fair play to him but it wasn't a corner in the first place. A Forest player kicked it out and the lads were heading back to the halfway line when the corner is given. The whole crowd were mystified on a few occasions following decisions."

The Blades boss added: "There was more frustration just after half-time with the sending off but I'm proud of my players and the way they responded against tough opposition, who are on a good run. The players were terrific and to see Forest holding on is testament to our hard work.

"There was not a lot between the teams. I thought we were the better side in the second half, even with ten men. We conceded a sloppy goal but were in the game, always a threat."

Popular full-back Derek Geary, who has missed a large part of the last two years with a knee injury, had to be replaced in the first half and Blackwell eased fears of a relapse, adding: "Fortunately it's an ankle problem, not the knee.

"Derek gives everything he has got and hopefully it is nothing too serious but at this stage it is too early to tell. We had to patch a few up to play and we'll have to do the same again on Saturday."