Sheffield United are through to the second round of the League Cup, following a penalty shootout victory at Hartlepool United.
Danny Philliskirk struck home the winning penalty after Anthony Sweeney had cancelled out Stephen Quinn`s first-half header.
It means new boss Danny Wilson has a two from two record in competitive games for the Blades. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing made his debut replacing Ryan Flynn in the side, whilst Lee Williamson came in for Chris Porter.
Quinn got United off to a fantastic start after half an hour, heading home Mendez-Laing`s centre. It appeared to be enough for the Blades who lost on this ground at the same stage last season in what proved to be Kevin Blackwell`s penultimate game, before Sweeney stepped up ten minutes from time to chip Simonsen and take the game into extra-time.
With neither side able to make the breakthrough in the added half hour, the game went to spot-kicks. Former Blades youth team player Evan Horwood scored the first, and both sides went through a rich scoring spell with Richard Cresswell, Neill Collins and Nick Montgomery all netting. New Pools signing Colin Nish missed, as did goalscorer Quinn, but a goal from Matt Lowton and a save by Simonsen gave Philliskirk the platform to step up and smash United into the second round.
Share this article
