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Tempers flare between Sheffield United and Bristol City players in stoppage time Sheffield United moved back to the top of the Championship table despite being denied a win by a last-minute Bristol City equaliser. Tyrese Campbell's 10th goal of the campaign had looked set to give the Blades a three-point lead over Leeds United. But second-half substitute Mark Sykes' leveller in the 90th minute frustrated Chris Wilder's men, leaving them just a point clear and the door ajar for Leeds to reclaim top spot with a home game against Millwall on Wednesday night. In a frenetic finale, Sheffield United had two penalty appeals turned down in stoppage time as tempers flared with frustration at a missed opportunity. For City the point means they stay seventh but gain ground on Coventry who are now two points ahead in the final play-off spot. It was perhaps no surprise that this should be a heated and tight encounter given the form of the two sides and a reverse fixture at Ashton Gate in November that had seen a 90th minute winner for the visitors and a late red card for the Robins' Rob Dickie. And yet it was a slow burner in a goalless first half. That owed much an excellent performance from Michael Cooper for the Blades who saved a certain goal, somehow clawing out Sinclair Armstrong's close-range header on 34 minutes. Not to be outdone, Max O'Leary made two fine stops from Harrison Burrows on 23 minutes and Campbell after a quick counter-attack 10 minutes before the break. O'Leary had no answer to Campbell's cool finish on 61 minutes, the striker finishing a slick move started by Gus Hamer and flicked on by Rhian Brewster. It looked as if Campbell was going to score the winner for the third game on the spin as Sheffield United eyed a two-point lead at the top of the table. But two substitutes combined for the equaliser as Sykes swept home with his left foot after George Earthy had played it to him just inside the area. Two penalty appeals looked justifiably turned down late on, Cameron Pring appearing to shove Burrows and then a dubious appeal for handball, before tempers flared late on. The scenes said much about a missed opportunity for the Blades as the title race tightens. Blades manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We were lethargic and leggy and no energy really. They caused us problems and had us stretched at the top of the pitch and we sat too deep. "We still had the best chances – I think we had three or four really good chances – so the control of the game was theirs, the best chances were ours. "After 55-60 minutes we gained more energy and control, got ourselves in front and from there we were OK but not good enough to go and get two or three. We should have been better. "It was fives and sixes across the board and when you have fives and sixes it doesn't give you the best opportunity to win a game of football. "That was not our stock performance because if it was we would be sat in about 14th or 15th place. There was not enough good individual performances out there today. " Bristol City assistant manager Chris Hogg told BBC Radio Bristol: "When you look at the performance and some of the attributes, things that we showed, I think it was a decent away performance. "We controlled the ball pretty well first half, [this] is a difficult place to come, couple of chances where we don't quite have that last touch or the quality at the end of it. "Then the pleasing thing, I think, you see going the goal down, you see the reaction. We just kept playing the way that was getting us some joy in the game, what we wanted to do pre-game, passing the ball and using it and attacking certain spaces. "It was a good deserved point I think. " This video can not be played Bristol City assistant manager Chris Hogg speaks to BBC Radio Bristol Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 11th March 2025 at 22: 54 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 3 - 2 - 4 - 1 Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 3 - 2 - 4 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Sheffield United have won each of their last three league games against Bristol City and will be looking to win four in succession for the first time in the Football League. Bristol City have won three of their last five away league games against Sheffield United (L2), though have lost on each of their last two trips in November 2021 (0-2) and April 2023 (0-1). Sheffield United have won six of their nine midweek league games this season (L3), winning three of their four matches at Bramall Lane. Bristol City are unbeaten in their last four away league games (W1 D3), and could win successive games on the road for the first time since November. Bristol City’s Nahki Wells has scored five away league goals this season; only in 2012-13 (11), 2013-14 (8), 2015-16 (9), and 2020-21 (8) has he netted more on the road in a Football League campaign. Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Bristol City 1. Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Bristol City 1. Attempt blocked. Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kieffer Moore. Cameron Pring (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Cameron Pring (Bristol City). Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Mark Sykes (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ben Brereton (Sheffield United). Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card. Rob Dickie (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card. Jason Knight (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jack Robinson (Sheffield United). Foul by Zak Vyner (Bristol City). Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt saved. Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. George Tanner (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by George Tanner (Bristol City). Ben Brereton (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Goal! Sheffield United 1, Bristol City 1. Mark Sykes (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by George Earthy with a through ball. Copyright © 2025 BBC. 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