Battling Blades rob Rovers of victory
Doncaster threw away a two-goal lead as automatic promotion rivals Sheffield United battled back to earn a 2-2 draw and snatch a point in an action-packed south Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium.
United looked threatening at the start and home goalkeeper Gary Woods did well to save an 11th-minute free-kick from Tony McMahon before Rovers took charge.
Billy Paynter gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the 18th minute when he slammed the ball home after keeper George Long had brought down David Syers.
The game was one-sided for long periods after that with Jamie McCombe and Rob Jones going close for Dean Saunders' side before Iain Hume hit a post early in the second half.
Syers made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute with a close-range header from David Cotterill's free-kick on the left.
The Blades had been disappointing until then but Nick Blackman gave them a lifeline they hardly deserved when he scored from the penalty spot in the 80th minute after Andy Griffin had brought down substitute Joe Ironside.
Rovers finished with 10 men after Paynter was sent off for an off-the-ball incident in the 87th minute and United cashed in with a last-gasp equaliser when Dave Kitson fired home in a crowded penalty box after Matthew Hill had hit a post.
Source: DSG
