Sheffield United had to come from behind to beat Bristol Rovers and avoid a shock FA Cup first round defeat.

League Two Rovers took an early lead when David Clarkson ran at the Blades' defence and drilled a shot past visiting goalkeeper George Long.

But the away team equalised in the second half with Nick Blackman running on to a through ball from Chris Porter and finishing from a narrow angle.

Neill Collins headed down a cross for the unmarked Porter to grab the winner.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Bristol Rovers manager Mark McGhee told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I'm disappointed by the result. I think we deserved something out of the game and it was there for us to get something.

"It was a fantastic finish (by Blackman) and I don't think anyone can be held responsible for that.

"But for the second goal Garry Kenneth was pulled down and nothing was given.

"The referee missed it, when he had been so pernickety, and we ended up losing a goal. It was hugely disappointing."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (5)

Bristol Rovers

  • 28 Walker
  • 02 Smith
  • 05 Kenneth
  • 11 Broghammer (Richard - 74' )
  • 14 Brown
  • 03 Paterson Booked
  • 25 Clucas Booked (Brown - 74' )
  • 26 Lund Booked
  • 07 Clarkson
  • 27 Riordan
  • 32 Eaves (Norburn - 74' )

Substitutes

  • 20 Gough
  • 30 Lockyer
  • 15 Norburn
  • 21 Brown
  • 24 Clarke
  • 31 Hunter
  • 10 Richard

Sheffield Utd

  • 25 Long
  • 05 Maguire
  • 06 Hill
  • 15 Collins
  • 29 McMahon
  • 07 Flynn
  • 08 Doyle
  • 11 McDonald Booked
  • 09 Porter (Cresswell - 78' )
  • 10 Blackman (Williams - 71' )
  • 12 Miller Booked

Substitutes

  • 34 Willis
  • 02 Westlake
  • 30 Williams
  • 16 McAllister
  • 24 Ironside
  • 17 Cresswell
  • 19 Cofie
Ref: Graham
Att: 4,712

Match Stats

Shots

9 9

On target

3 4

Corners

2 7

Fouls

9 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:19 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

89:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Oliver Norburn by Harry Maguire. Matthew Lund fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, George Long makes a save.

85:10

Short corner taken by Tony McMahon. Tony McMahon sends in a cross, save made by Sam Walker.

84:24

Marcus Williams delivers the ball, clearance made by Lee Brown.

82:52

Corner taken right-footed by Derek Riordan to the near post, Matthew Lund produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

82:21

Matthew Lund delivers the ball, Harry Maguire manages to make a clearance.

79:52

Eliot Richards produces a cross, clearance by Neill Collins.

79:39

Centre by Michael Smith, Matthew Hill manages to make a clearance.

79:13

Foul by Neill Collins on Oliver Norburn, free kick awarded. Garry Kenneth restarts play with the free kick.

78:51

Short corner taken by Kevin McDonald from the right by-line.

77:01 Substitution

Substitution Chris Porter goes off and Richard Cresswell comes on.

73:37 Substitution

Substitution Eliot Richards on for Fabian Broghammer.

73:37 Substitution

Substitution Oliver Norburn is brought on as a substitute for Tom Eaves.

73:37 Substitution

Substitution Wayne Brown replaces Seanan Clucas.

72:57

Free kick taken by Tony McMahon.

72:57 Booking

Booking The referee books Matthew Lund for persistent infringement.

72:50

Matthew Lund gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Harry Maguire.

72:04

A cross is delivered by Derek Riordan, clearance made by Matthew Hill.

71:39

Chris Porter concedes a free kick for a foul on Matthew Lund. Free kick taken by Matthew Lund.

70:43 Substitution

Substitution Marcus Williams on for Nick Blackman.

70:43

Shaun Miller produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

69:41

The ball is delivered by Harry Maguire, Garry Kenneth makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Kevin McDonald, Chris Porter takes a shot. Lee Brown gets a block in.

67:11

Unfair challenge on Tom Eaves by Tony McMahon results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Derek Riordan, Neill Collins manages to make a clearance.

66:58

Kevin McDonald is penalised for a handball. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Lund.

65:17

Shot by Garry Kenneth went wide left of the target.

65:04

The ball is sent over by Michael Smith, clearance made by Neill Collins.

63:26

Corner taken by Lee Brown from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Tony McMahon.

61:53

Assist on the goal came from Neill Collins.

61:53 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Porter - Bristol R 1 - 2 Sheff Utd Chris Porter scores a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Bristol Rovers 1-2 Sheff Utd.

61:23

Short corner worked by Kevin McDonald.

58:29

Shaun Miller delivers the ball, Sam Walker makes a save.

58:08

Foul by Matthew Lund on Shaun Miller, free kick awarded. Michael Doyle restarts play with the free kick.

57:54

Nick Blackman delivers the ball, clearance by Michael Smith.

57:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Doyle by Matthew Lund. Michael Doyle takes the direct free kick.

56:29

Neill Collins challenges Tom Eaves unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matthew Lund takes the direct free kick.

55:12

Tony McMahon sends in a cross, David Clarkson manages to make a clearance.

54:23

Unfair challenge on Chris Porter by Matthew Lund results in a free kick. Matthew Hill takes the direct free kick.

53:39

Tom Eaves gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Harry Maguire. Direct free kick taken by Michael Doyle.

52:20

Assist on the goal came from Chris Porter.

52:20 Goal scored

Goal - Nick Blackman - Bristol R 1 - 1 Sheff Utd Nick Blackman scores a goal from just inside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Bristol Rovers 1-1 Sheff Utd.

48:50

Kevin McDonald crosses the ball, save by Sam Walker. Corner taken by Kevin McDonald from the left by-line, Garry Kenneth makes a clearance. Kevin McDonald sends in a cross, save by Sam Walker.

46:56

Tony McMahon produces a cross, Garry Kenneth manages to make a clearance.

46:56

The ball is sent over by Tony McMahon, clearance by Garry Kenneth.

45:22

Michael Doyle produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +3:27 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +2:46

Tony McMahon takes a shot. Save made by Sam Walker. Inswinging corner taken by Kevin McDonald from the left by-line, Seanan Clucas manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +1:51

Nick Blackman produces a cross, blocked by Garry Kenneth.

45:00 +0:14

Matthew Hill crosses the ball, save made by Sam Walker.

44:31

Derek Riordan takes a shot. Harry Maguire gets a block in.

44:11

The ball is crossed by Michael Smith, Harry Maguire makes a clearance.

42:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Clarkson by Michael Doyle. Free kick taken by Sam Walker.

42:08

Matthew Hill delivers the ball, Jim Paterson manages to make a clearance.

38:52

Lee Brown is penalised for a handball. Tony McMahon restarts play with the free kick.

38:16

Free kick taken by Jim Paterson.

38:16 Booking

Booking Booking for Kevin McDonald.

38:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin McDonald on David Clarkson.

36:03

Tony McMahon produces a cross, Neill Collins has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

36:03 Booking

Booking Booking for Jim Paterson.

35:54

Unfair challenge on Nick Blackman by Jim Paterson results in a free kick.

34:39

Effort from just outside the box by Fabian Broghammer goes over the bar.

33:14

Matthew Lund concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Porter. Tony McMahon crosses the ball in from the free kick, save made by Sam Walker.

32:08

Sam Walker restarts play with the free kick.

32:08 Booking

Booking Caution for Shaun Miller.

31:57

Shaun Miller is adjudged to have handled the ball.

30:51

The referee blows for offside against Lee Brown. Free kick taken by Tony McMahon.

28:28

Free kick taken by George Long.

28:28 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Seanan Clucas for unsporting behaviour.

28:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matthew Hill by Seanan Clucas.

25:21

Kevin McDonald challenges Seanan Clucas unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sam Walker restarts play with the free kick.

23:43

Effort on goal by Derek Riordan from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

22:27

Short corner worked by Kevin McDonald.

21:01

Derek Riordan has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

19:14

Unfair challenge on Fabian Broghammer by Matthew Hill results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Fabian Broghammer from right wing.

18:37

Effort from the edge of the area by Ryan Flynn goes wide of the left-hand post.

18:07

Tony McMahon crosses the ball, clearance by Garry Kenneth.

16:35

Tony McMahon sends in a cross, save made by Sam Walker.

11:18

Unfair challenge on David Clarkson by Michael Doyle results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Garry Kenneth.

10:37

Fabian Broghammer has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

9:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shaun Miller on David Clarkson. Jim Paterson restarts play with the free kick.

7:32

The ball is swung over by Lee Brown.

6:19

The ball is crossed by Tony McMahon, Garry Kenneth manages to make a clearance.

4:42 Goal scored

Goal - David Clarkson - Bristol R 1 - 0 Sheff Utd David Clarkson fires in a goal from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Bristol Rovers 1-0 Sheff Utd.

2:54

Chris Porter has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

2:15

Foul by Tom Eaves on Neill Collins, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Hill.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association