Sheffield United 1 Portsmouth 1: Paul Gerrard and Claude Davis combined to produce a comical mix-up that handed Portsmouth a point on a plate at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United looked set for victory to ease relegation worries after taking the lead with Stephen Quinn's 22nd-minute free-kick.

After weathering an early Pompey storm at the start of the second period, United then allowed captain Gary O'Neil to score arguably the easiest goal of his career nine minutes from time.

The point was deserved by manager Harry Redknapp's Champions League-chasers but it left opposite number Neil Warnock shaking his head in disgust and frustration.

Davis, United's club-record signing, signalled to Gerrard to come and collect a through-ball into the penalty area from substitute Niko Kranjcar.

Gerrard dithered, Davis dallied, and with pressure from behind in the form of Benjani Mwaruwari, the ball eventually came off the goalkeeper for O'Neil to tap home from eight yards.

It took all the gloss off United's efforts, in particular in the first half as Quinn might have scored the opener, but it was Jon Stead who stole the show with a vibrant debut display.

Goals have been hard to come by in Stead's career — just seven in his prior 91 appearances for Blackburn, Sunderland and Derby — but he showed he is not lacking in confidence.

Warnock insisted on Thursday he had signed the 23-year-old for his energy, work-rate and drive, and Stead showed all three qualities in abundance.

Despite appearing similar in stature and physique to partner Rob Hulse, Stead is unafraid to work the channels, to track back, and to get stuck in where it hurts.