Nick Blackman's late equaliser at the Ricoh Arena rescued a point for expected League One promotion challengers Sheffield United.

Rivals Coventry looked set for their first win since relegation on 62 minutes when summer signing Stephen Elliott fired home a left-foot shot.

But Blackman levelled six minutes from time when he found the bottom corner from Shaun Miller's cross.

That left Andy Thorn's men having to settle for a second straight 1-1 draw.

The Blades enjoyed the better territory in the first half but failed to turn it into clear-cut chances, a goalline clearance from former Sheffield Wednesday defender Richard Wood keeping the sides on level terms.

United were made to pay after the interval when Coventry, who have seen nine players go and as many arrive following relegation from the Championship, got into their rhythm.

The Sky Blues, without hamstring victim John Fleck, appeared to have taken the lead on the hour mark.

French recruit Kevin Malaga headed down a corner, the ball bobbling perilously close to the line before visiting goalkeeper Mark Howard grabbed it.

They only had to wait two minutes to forge ahead when a long ball from keeper Joe Murphy was flicked on for Elliott to fire home, but the visitors kept plugging away before Blackman earned a point.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"To come to Coventry, to play like we did and not come away with three points is a little bit disappointing.

"It's the result that's disappointing as the performance was brilliant.

"We want to start the season well and get better as we go along.

"You've certainly seen an improvement from last weekend [in the 1-0 win against Shrewsbury]."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (3)

Coventry City

  • 01 Murphy
  • 03 Hussey
  • 06 Malaga
  • 24 Wood
  • 35 Brown
  • 08 Baker (McSheffrey - 88' )
  • 12 Jennings
  • 15 Kilbane
  • 16 Barton Booked
  • 09 McDonald
  • 14 Elliott Booked (Ball - 85' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Dunn
  • 25 Edjenguele
  • 26 Willis
  • 11 McSheffrey
  • 17 Ball
  • 19 O'Donovan
  • 27 Daniels

Sheffield United

  • 01 Howard
  • 05 Maguire
  • 06 Hill Booked
  • 15 Collins
  • 29 McMahon
  • 08 Doyle
  • 11 McDonald
  • 16 McAllister
  • 28 Quinn
  • 10 Blackman Booked
  • 19 Cofie (Miller - 61' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Long
  • 24 Ironside
  • 30 Williams
  • 07 Flynn
  • 18 Harriott
  • 22 Philliskirk
  • 12 Miller
Ref: Tierney
Att: 12,621

Match Stats

Shots

7 10

On target

4 6

Corners

1 7

Fouls

12 4

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:20 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +2:06

The ball is crossed by Chris Hussey, clearance made by Harry Maguire.

90:00 +1:26

The official flags Harry Maguire offside. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

90:00 +0:50

Short corner taken by Stephen Quinn from the right by-line.

88:29

Adam Barton takes a shot. Blocked by Kevin McDonald.

87:56 Substitution

Substitution Gary McSheffrey joins the action as a substitute, replacing Carl Baker.

87:20 Booking

Booking The referee shows Nick Blackman a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

85:00 Substitution

Substitution Callum Ball is brought on as a substitute for Stephen Elliott.

83:48

Shaun Miller provided the assist for the goal.

83:48 Goal scored

Goal - Nick Blackman - Coventry 1 - 1 Sheff Utd Nick Blackman grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Coventry 1-1 Sheff Utd.

82:07

Foul by Tony McMahon on Adam Barton, free kick awarded.

81:53

Carl Baker crosses the ball, clearance made by Tony McMahon.

80:29

Stephen Quinn takes the outswinging corner, Cody McDonald manages to make a clearance.

80:14

The ball is sent over by Tony McMahon, Richard Wood manages to make a clearance.

79:29

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Stephen Quinn from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Richard Wood.

79:17

Centre by Tony McMahon, Richard Wood manages to make a clearance.

78:57

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Quinn by Carl Baker. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Quinn.

74:21

Shot from just outside the box by Nick Blackman goes over the bar.

72:47

A cross is delivered by Carl Baker, clearance by Tony McMahon.

72:17

Michael Doyle gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin Kilbane. Direct free kick taken by Carl Baker.

71:19

The referee blows for offside against Shaun Miller. Reece Brown restarts play with the free kick.

69:59

The ball is swung over by Tony McMahon, clearance made by Kevin Malaga.

68:01

Tony McMahon takes the outswinging corner, Kevin Malaga makes a clearance.

67:40

Steven Jennings concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Quinn. Free kick taken by Michael Doyle.

65:46

Shot from just outside the box by David McAllister goes over the crossbar.

64:05

Stephen Elliott crosses the ball, save by Mark Howard.

61:37 Goal scored

Goal - Stephen Elliott - Coventry 1 - 0 Sheff Utd Stephen Elliott grabs a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Coventry 1-0 Sheff Utd.

60:18 Substitution

Substitution John Cofie goes off and Shaun Miller comes on.

57:54

Corner taken right-footed by Carl Baker from the left by-line, Richard Wood takes a shot. Tony McMahon makes a clearance.

57:05

Stephen Elliott has a header from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

55:35

Headed effort from inside the area by Cody McDonald misses to the right of the target.

55:20

Reece Brown produces a cross, clearance made by Harry Maguire.

53:56

Effort on goal by Stephen Quinn from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

52:16

Free kick taken by Neill Collins.

52:16 Booking

Booking Adam Barton is shown a yellow card.

52:02

Stephen Quinn fouled by Adam Barton, the ref awards a free kick.

51:40

Carl Baker takes a shot. Neill Collins gets a block in.

49:42

The ball is crossed by Stephen Quinn, Steven Jennings gets a block in.

47:05

A cross is delivered by Reece Brown, save made by Joe Murphy.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +1:13 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +0:52

Carl Baker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Quinn. Free kick taken by Stephen Quinn.

43:42

The official flags Nick Blackman offside. Indirect free kick taken by Reece Brown.

38:17

Matthew Hill takes a shot. Adam Barton gets a block in.

34:43

Carl Baker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nick Blackman. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Tony McMahon, save by Joe Murphy.

33:26

Unfair challenge on David McAllister by Kevin Kilbane results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Quinn.

32:16

Corner taken by Stephen Quinn.

31:47

John Cofie takes a shot. Adam Barton gets a block in.

31:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Adam Barton on Kevin McDonald. Direct free kick taken by Mark Howard.

29:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Elliott on Matthew Hill. Free kick taken by Neill Collins.

25:54

David McAllister takes a shot. Adam Barton gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Stephen Quinn.

23:15

Nick Blackman is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

21:09

Steven Jennings gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tony McMahon. Free kick taken by Stephen Quinn.

19:34

Stephen Quinn takes the inswinging corner, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Matthew Hill misses to the left of the goal.

16:45

Neill Collins takes the direct free kick.

16:45 Booking

Booking The referee shows Stephen Elliott a yellow card.

16:25

Foul by Stephen Elliott on Matthew Hill, free kick awarded.

13:59

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Adam Barton misses to the right of the target.

11:03

Unfair challenge on Kevin McDonald by Steven Jennings results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Matthew Hill.

9:42

John Cofie takes a shot. Stephen Elliott gets a block in.

6:18

Direct free kick taken by Chris Hussey.

6:18 Booking

Booking Matthew Hill booked.

6:07

Foul by Matthew Hill on Adam Barton, free kick awarded.

4:23

Carl Baker concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Quinn. Tony McMahon takes the free kick.

0:59

Stephen Elliott fouled by Michael Doyle, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

0:00

The game begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association