Source: PA
Pools blunt Blades in cup shock
Hartlepool caused a Carling Cup shock by dumping Sheffield United out in the first round with a 2-0 win.
The npower League One side outbattled and outplayed their Championship counterparts and were good value for a comprehensive and comfortable win.
Pools took the game to the Blades from the off and took the lead after just six minutes. Andy Monkhouse fed Joe Gamble and when his shot was blocked by Steve Simonsen, James Brown knocked in the rebound from 12 yards.
In the 48th minute, Simonsen uneasily fumbled a low Brown shot wide for a corner.
But he was beaten 12 minutes later from the spot. Antony Sweeney, played in by Adam Boyd, was pushed over from behind by Rob Kozluk and Boyd rolled the penalty home low as Simonsen went the wrong way.
Gamble almost made it three minutes later, curling a left-footed shot wide from 20 yards. But Pools were easy victors, the Blades only shot on target coming on 90 minutes - substitute Kyle Bartley's effort headed away by Monkhouse.
