Jack Robinson involved in bizarre Sheffield United penalty situation as red card v Birmingham City compounds horror week

Just when you think you’ve seen it all. Sheffield United’s recent run went from bad to worse this afternoon when they had a man sent off, conceded from the resulting free-kick and then, a few minutes later, missed a penalty awarded in freak circumstances.

Blades youngster Femi Seriki was the unlucky man sent for an early bath after bringing down Ibrahim Osman just outside the Birmingham box. There was no doubt it was a foul but teammate Tyler Bindon was in close enough proximity to cast doubt over whether it was an obvious goalscoring opportunity that had been denied.

But referee Tim Robinson took his time before brandishing the red card that the home crowd and players were baying for, and United’s frustration was compounded when Marvin Ducksch stepped up and curled the resulting free-kick into the United net.

The Blades were then handed a golden chance to level in freak circumstances. A ball over the top was collected by home goalkeeper and former Wednesday man James Beadle, before it went out of play.

He rolled it to former Blade Jack Robinson, who probably assumed it was a goal kick and picked up the ball in his penalty area. After consulting with his linesman referee Robinson gave the penalty and booked his namesake.

But Sydie Peck’s effort was saved down to his right by Beadle, who later followed up with a superb save to keep out Patrick Bamford’s header on the stroke of half-time. Seriki will now miss United’s crunch clash with sixth-placed Wrexham next weekend, opening the door for Wolves loanee Ki-Jana Hoever - who replaced him here - to do so again against the Welshmen.

The red card may have been harsh but compounds a horror few days for Seriki, who made a key mistake for Norwich City’s winner at Carrow Road on Wednesday night as the Blades lost 2-1 late on.