The Blades started the 2007/08 campaign in disappointing fashion, after letting Colchester come from behind twice to claim a point.
A debut goal from James Beattie and a neat finish from Michael Tonge were not enough for the Blades, as Colchester grabbed a late equaliser at Bramall Lane.
The Blades would have been hoping for an early goal to banish the memories of last season, but the first 45 minutes were fairly disappointing.
Robson handed league debuts to James Beattie, Gary Naysmith and Lee Hendrie, while Billy Sharp made his second debut for the club after re-signing in the summer.
However, the Blades had little time on the ball and looked short of ideas, as the pairing of Leigertwood and Montgomery failed to work in midfield.
The second half started a lot brighter, as Hendrie saw his effort deflected over the bar at one end, before Kenny pulled off a great save to deny Jackson’s free-kick at the other.
The Blades were unlucky not to be in front just before the hour mark as Gillespie’s cross was met by Beattie’s head, but the striker’s effort rebounded off the bar.
The introduction of Tonge for Leigertwood had an instant impact as the midfielder laid a ball off for Gillespie, who’s cross found the head of BEATTIE, and this time the striker found the corner of the net.
The Blades lead lasted just 43 seconds though, as the home side well and truly shot themselves in the foot.
Yeates managed to break free down the right wing, thanks to some terrible defending by United, and played a simple ball across the six-yard box to MCLEOD, who tapped the ball home.
The Blades managed to amend for their error on 82 minutes though, as the ball fell to TONGE after a scramble in the box, and the midfielder sent a low shot through a set of bodies and into the back of the net.
It seemed United had got themselves out of jail with the late strike, but another lapse in concentration by the defence allowed Colchester to equalise for the second time, with only two minutes remaining.
A high cross from Duguid was left by both Kenny and the United defence, allowing PLATT to guide a free header into the top corner and send the small contingent of travelling fans wild behind the goal.
It was a fairly disappointing start by the Blades, and Robson’s first half tactics left a lot to be desired.
The Blades face a trip to Vicarage Road next to take on Watford, who are likely to pose even more of a threat to United’s shaky looking defence.
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