Oxford United 0 Sheffield United 3

George Dugdale

Oxford United were knocked out of the FA Cup by a three goal defeat to Sheffield United for the second year running, although the hosts gave the Yorkshire side the contest they were owed after last season's game at Bramall Lane.

Goals from Tony McMahon, Dave Kitson and Nick Blackman gave Danny Wilson's side an ultimately comfortable victory after Oxford had seen chances go begging in the second half.

Chris Wilder had been openly critical of the team and his own selection the last time the two sides met and named a strong team this time around. Tony Capaldi was given a start as Sean Rigg was rested (perhaps with one eye on the impressive Blackman on the Blades' right wing), while Simon Heslop came into the side for Lee Cox after the conclusion of his loan spell. The suspended James Constable was replaced by Justin Richards as the striker began his second spell at the club alongside Tom Craddock in a 4-4-2.

United immediately looked to let their opponents know that they were up for the challenge and the midfield duo of Leven and Heslop snapped into a series of early challenges. The Scot fired over the bar, before Craddock was equally wayward as he cut in from the right wing.

The home side had matched their higher division opponents, but found themselves behind after 17 minutes. Jake Wright got a toe on the ball as he challenged on the edge of the area but was adjudged to have fouled an advancing attacker. Free-kicks against the Blades mean trouble and McMahon casually lifted the ball up and over the wall to give the upset hunters an early setback.

United weren't going to retreat into their shell and nearly drew level after Craddock raced onto Capaldi's long throw to test teenage goalkeeper George Long.

The flow of the game was interrupted by a number of injuries to Sheffield United players, with varying levels of severity. Matt Hill was forced from the field after a nasty clash of heads with Jake Wright, while Blackman was able to recover from his own facial injury in the latter stages of the half.

United kept the deficit to one goal and were very much still in the game at the half-time whistle.

The visitors came out of the blocks quickly after the interval and forced a succession of corners as they looked to kill the game off. Two superb blocks from Duberry and Clarke in a matter of seconds kept Oxford's hopes alive.

When Richards last scored an Oxford goal, Chris Wilder was the opposition manager, while Jake Wright and Simon Heslop were opponents. The striker had a glorious chance to score his second in a yellow shirt on the hour mark. Craddock's header found the Burton loanee in space, but he could only lift the ball wide of the post after digging it out from under his feet.

Sean Rigg entered the game five minutes later, but the lead was doubled before the winger had touched the ball. Another soft free-kick was awarded on the left wing and when the ball was headed back across Clarke's goal, Kitson was on hand to prod the ball home.

Rigg's first attacking involvement saw him burst past a man, but his low shot was turned wide by Long at the near-post. The former Port Vale man also missed fine chance after Leven's free-kick was cut back to the penalty spot. Rigg failed to get a clean connection and the ball was bundled clear.

Having seen soft free-kicks given and assaults ignored throughout, Craddock had a game of referee roulette in the final stages. His blatant push on the defender was considered a fair challenge and a right-footed strike whistled wide of the left-hand post as the Blades defence looked quizzically in the official's direction.

The chances had been and gone for United and the result was sealed when Kevin McDonald's flighted pass found Blackman in the area. The winger had been impressive throughout and thumped the ball home off the underside of the bar to complete the scoring.

It was vastly more enjoyable than the last game between the two sides and Oxford can take some pride in having given their opponents a game. The difference between the sides was in the quality of the finishing. The visitors scored each of their opportunities, while Wilder's side saw three clear chances go begging.

There is no kind way to describe referee Carl Boyeson's performance. We've seen some poor officials this season, but he was the worst. His decisions, for both sides, were inexplicably inconsistent. Sometimes a nudge was a foul and at other points a headlock was fair game. The free-kick that changed the game was a poor decision and the failure to penalise Craddock late on merely confirmed that the official had lost it. Managers do well to keep their responses to questions about referees relatively innocent. There are times when they must feel like hitting the roof.

The FA Cup run is over and now Oxford move on to the area semi-final of the JPT. Bring it on.

Attendance: 7,079