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Honours shared in super derby: MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2: THE STEEL CITY'S bragging rights can be shared by both sides tonight after Wednesday first built up an emphatic 2-0 lead..only to be pegged back by a sensational, late Blades rally.
The derby was a nail-biter particularly at the end as James Beattie levelled the match with a freekick.
It was an advertisement for for Champiosnhip football - and will give Brian Laws' men legitimate hope they can pull away from the basement.
The Owls started off the evening one place above the drop zone in 21st, and were hoping three points at their arch rivals would help them towards relative safety.
While United, still harbouring Play Off hopes, were six points shy of the top six, in 13th spot.
Wednesday had recently been on a drawing streak, while United had begun to find some consistency.
Yet it was the Owls who went ahead after 39 minutes, courtesy of on loan QPR midfielder Adam Bolder, whose deal at Hillsborough was only extended at the start of the week.
Bolder headed into the bottom left of the net after a cross from Steve Watson.
That's the way it stayed in a tense match until the first half whistle went.
Earlier United had not imposed themselves as they'd have liked on their own pitch.
Billy Sharp had looked lively, while Michale Tonge and Beattie had belted shots over the bar.
Owls goalie Lee Grant had to parry a Gary Speed effort.
While at the other end Jermaine Johnson was saved by Paddy Kenny.
Graham Kavanagh picked up a booking for unpsorting behaviour.
But the Owls pressed on, with Franck Songo'o seeing a drive tipped over by Kenny in the 42nd minute.
An inswinging corner from Tonge dropped for Beattie on 48 minutes, but the effort went over.
Still Wednesday attempted to increase their lead, a Sogo'o shot from the left blocked by Kenny.
And they managed it on 55 minutes, when Bolder doubled his tally, after work from Songo'o.
Injured Kavanagh was replaced by Burton O'Brien.
United fans were getting deserpate now - they watched Stephen Quinn blocked by Grant and wondered if they could get back into this derby.
The answer came on 61 minutes when Richard Wood scored an own goal to send the majority of Bramall Lane wild.
It must have been the blackest moment in Woods' fledlging career.
Quinn was then replaced by Jon Stead and shortly afterwards Ben Sahar came on for Bartosz Slusarski.
Grant was now busy - he had to parry a Beattie attempt from close range.
The intensity was getting to Songo'o too, he was booked for unsportsmanlike.
But Wednesday almost relieved the pressure when Slusarski's shot was goalbound..until Kenny repelled.
Blades Chris Morgan and O'Brien were next in the book.
Then a dramatic equaliser - from goal machine Beattie.
His right footer from 20 yards brought the house down with six minutes remaining.
FOR FOUR PAGE MATCH ANALYSIS: SEE TODAY'S STAR
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READ MORE
Fans clash at Steel City derby - PICTURES
Owls thwarted by late free-kick: Read James Shield's derby verdict.
Both sets of fans left wanting more: Read Paul Thompson on the Steel City Derby.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
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