Res - report
Rob Kozluk and Adrian Harper were both shown the red card but Steven Kabba's comeback from injury continues.
Kozluk and Harper were both dismissed for retaliation in the second half at Billingham, but coach Ron Reid opted to focus on the positives from Wednesday's Pontins League fixture against Hartlepool.
"Kabba came through 55 minutes, he did OK and had a hand in the goal, whilst the younger members of the team again impressed."
He adds: "With regards to the sending offs, both of our lads were the victims of bad tackles and the aggressors in the incidents got away scott free. Both raised their hands, admittedly, but I felt sorry for them."
United, who beat Hartlepool 5-0 in the return fixture in December, had the lion's share of possession in a goal-less first half.
The Blades passed well with Forte looking lively on the left. Marrison and Kabba combined well in attack but couldn't find the edge against a strong and uncompromising defence. The best chance fell to Kozluk, but he fired across goal instead of trying to pick out Kabba, who had taken up a good position.
The second half followed a similar pattern but United took the lead on 55 minutes. After playing the ball out from the back Kabba flicked on and MARRISON raced forward to fire into the roof of the net with his first touch.
However, the game turned with Kozluk's sending off on 69 minutes. He was fouled in United's penalty area but after a melee it was the full-back who was given his marching orders.
Hartlepool immediately took advantage to score with a tap-in at the back post on 71 minutes whilst the Blades were still trying to re-organise.
Harper followed Kozluk down the tunnel on 85 minutes when he squared up to an opponent who had just hacked him down but it was the nine men of United that finished the stronger.
The Blades included two trialists in the fixture, Wigan reserve goalkeeper James Salisbury and former Welsh junior international Guy Last.
United: Salisbury, Ashmore, Kozluk, Harper, Roma, Horwood, Gyaki, Last (Travis 72), Marrison, Kabba (S. Quinn 55), Forte. Unused: Coupe, J. Robertson.
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