The Times

Richard Cresswell's third goal of the season was enough to earn Sheffield United a replay and deny Queens Park Rangers what would have been an unlikely victory at Bramall Lane yesterday.

Cresswell, who is expected to make his loan move from Stoke City permanent, equalised on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Jay Simpson's opener six minutes earlier. United dominated for large spells and could have been in total command before the interval, leaving Kevin Blackwell, the manager, frustrated.

"This is the one result I didn't want because the squad is not big enough to handle a replay," he said. "We should have finished them off and we have got to be more clinical."

Paul Hart, his QPR counterpart, said: "I thought we fought really hard. We set ourselves up to be hard to beat. We withstood their pressure well and we are in the draw for the next round, which I'm pleased about. We knew it would be a tough game so I'm satisfied with the result, but I'd have been happier with a clean sheet."

Chris Morgan, Stephen Quinn and Henri Camara all had chances to put United ahead yet it was QPR who made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Wayne Routledge found time and space on the right flank to deliver a dangerous cross that Andy Taylor made a hash of clearing. The unmarked Simpson reacted first to sweep a clinical shot beyond the helpless Mark Bunn, the United goalkeeper, and leave the home team regretting their earlier profligacy.

Yet QPR's lead lasted only a matter of minutes before United restored parity when Quinn's inswinging cross was met by Cresswell, who directed a powerful header into the top corner of the net to register his third goal for the club.

United looked the more likely victors, but Jamie Ward and Camara squandered further chances after the interval before Ched Evans, anonymous for most of the game, smashed a thunderbolt of a free kick against the bar with nine minutes remaining as QPR held on for a replay.

Telegraph

Kevin Blackwell insisted a draw was the last result he wanted even though his Sheffield United side had to come from behind to finish level with Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

Jay Simpson put the visitors ahead seven minutes before half-time, the on-loan Arsenal striker netting his 10th goal of the season from Wayne Routledge's cross. But Richard Cresswell equalised with a looping header on the stroke of half-time.

But Blackwell isn't looking forward to the replay. "We're frustrated," he said, "but if you're not clinical in the last third, that's what happens.

"We hit the crossbar a couple of times and overall I think we shaded the game. It was the last result we wanted. I wanted to finish the game here.

"I didn't want to go down there and have any more games because the squad isn't big enough to handle it.''

Paul Hart sees the replay in a more positive light. Having only recently taken the helm at QPR, the former Portsmouth manager welcomes an extra chance to impose his football philosophy on his new players.

"I've been in the job three weeks and, with the icy pitches and all that, it's been difficult to get any meaningful work done [in training],'' he said. "So, sometimes you have to get it done through games. If it means we can turn a few things round, another game will be fine."

QPR were on the back foot for large spells - Stephen Quinn and Ched Evans striking the bar for the home side - and need to improve if they are to secure a fourth-round trip to Bolton.