Cautious Coppell not getting carried away

Sheffield United 1 Reading 1

The Royals' closest challengers gave Coppell's men a stiff examination in a dramatic 1-1 draw Coppell described as "two heavyweights slugging it out."

Coppell insisted he was still taking nothing for granted despite seeing his side extend their record unbeaten run to 33 league games and maintain their 12-point cushion at the Coca-Cola Championship summit.

He said: "It would have been a psychological boost for whoever got the points but the conclusions can only be drawn at the end of the season.

"Us being away, to get the point, it neutralises it in our favour."

Reading took their biggest step yet towards the Coca-Cola Championship title despite missing a late penalty after their record unbeaten run survived the trip to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock's inclusion of Bruce Dyer proved a masterstroke as he marked his debut with the opener, but the visitors hit back almost immediately through top scorer Dave Kitson.

United substitute Steve Kabba missed a sitter to snatch all three points before Kitson saw his last-minute penalty saved by Irish international goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Kitson replaced Leroy Lita who suffered a facial injury in a nightclub at the weekend.

Coppell said: "He was just involved in an incident in a nightclub, not of his own making. "He didn't do anything, he was out with his girlfriend."

Neither side gained the upper hand until Paul Ifill tested Marcus Hahnemann's handling from 25 yards.

Then, out of nothing United went ahead; a low Leigh Bromby cross bounced off Ade Akinbiyi on the edge of the box, falling perfectly for Dyer whose only previous goals this season had come against the Blades to rifle home.

The lead lasted less than five minutes as Bobby Convey broke down the left before fizzing a ball across the six-yard box that Kitson could not fail to turn in.

With time running out Convey burst clear, Kenny looked to have thwarted him, but foolishly took him out as the American tried to get back to his feet and the referee pointed to the spot. However, Kenny redeemed himself with a brilliant stop from Kitson's spot-kick.

SHEFF UTD: Kenny, Bromby (Kozluk 24), Short (Flitcroft 88), Morgan, Armstrong, Montgomery, Jagielka, Ifill, Tonge, Akinbiyi, Dyer (Kabba 69).

READING: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Sidwell, Little, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Kitson.

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).