Honours ended even in West London, as Chris Morgan's late leveller denied the R's maximum points in an eagerly-contested mid-table battle.
Only goal difference separated the two Clubs at the start of the day, but with Rangers enjoying the lion's share of territory and possession throughout the 90 minutes, Luigi De Canio's men will look back at what might have been after Angelo Balanta's early goal put them in the driving seat.
The youngster's first senior goal on his full debut was the R's just reward for a positive first half showing, yet despite Martin Rowlands and Rowan Vine each going close to doubling the hosts' advantage, United weathered the storm and they were rewarded when Morgan rifled home his second of the season late on.
Gavin Mahon missed out in this mid-table clash owing to injury, which meant Mikele Leigertwood returned against his former Club.
Akos Buzsaky was also unavailable due to suspension, prompting Luigi De Canio to hand youngster Angelo Balanta a rare start.
Manchester United loanee Lee Martin failed to shake off a rib complaint for the Blades, as Kevin Blackwell opted for a front three of James Beattie, Jon Stead and Billy Sharp.
It was former Blade Leigertwood who spurned the R's first opportunity, when he headed over Martin Rowlands' eighth minute corner from the edge of the six-yard box.
Rangers' best passage of football in the opening stages was very nearly rewarded with a goal on the quarter hour.
A superb passing move involving Michael Mancienne, Patrick Agyemang and Hogan Ephraim ended with the latter feeding Rowan Vine, who flashed a 20-yard left footed drive over the bar.
The visitors failed to heed the warning and they paid the ultimate price four minutes later.
After some fine approach play, Rowlands pinged the ball out wide to Ephraim, who dropped a shoulder to bamboozle Gary Naysmith, before playing an enticing cross into the heart of the Blades six-yard box.
Drifting in from the left flank, the unmarked Balanta showed great awareness, applying the deftest of touches to steer the ball beyond Paddy Kenny.
United's first opportunity arrived in the 25th minute, but Lee Camp was equal to it, diving low to his left to tip Beattie's fierce drive upwards, before quickly getting to his feet and punching clear the follow-up.
But it was the R's - inspired by the lively Ephraim - who continued to pose the greater attacking threat heading in to the break, with Rowlands curling a left footed shot a yard or so wide on the half hour.
After Balanta screwed a shot wide moments after the resumption, play briefly switched to the other end, where Michael Tonge dragged a shot wide from distance.
United upped the ante as the clock ticked towards the hour mark, with a succession of corners asking questions of the now overworked R's backline.
To their credit, Rangers dealt adequately as the crosses reigned in, with the returning Fitz Hall mopping up twice in a matter of minutes with strong clearing headers.
Sensing his side required fresh legs after their FA Cup exploits six days earlier, Blackwell introduced David Cotterill at the expense of the ineffective Sharp in the 70th minute.
De Canio responded by making a double substitution, as goalscorer Balanta and Connolly were replaced by Dexter Blackstock and Damion Stewart respectively.
Blackwell did the same moments later and just seconds after Luton Shelton and Rob Hulse entered the fray, Morgan's low 18-yard drive beat Camp to hand United an unlikely equaliser.
Both sides went in search of the all-important third goal of the contest in the time that remained, but on the balance of play, a draw was probably a fair result.
QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Rowlands, Connolly (Stewart 73), Agyemang, Ephraim, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood, Balanta (Blackstock 73).
Subs: Pickens, Lee, Rehman.
Scorers: Balanta 19
Bookings:
Red Cards:
Sheffield United: Kenny, Naysmith, Morgan, Beattie (Hulse 78), Stead (Shelton 78), Kilgallon, Tonge, Armstrong, Sharp (Cotterill 70), Geary, Quinn.
Subs: Gillespie, Lucketti.
Scorers: Morgan 79
Bookings: Morgan 64, Geary 88
Red Cards:
Referee: Mr S G Bennett
Attendance: 15, 383
