Sheffield United were knocked out the Emirates FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat after frustrating Premier League side Leicester City.
With three important Sky Bet Championship fixtures coming up in seven days for Chris Wilder’s side, the Blades boss opted to make six changes from their previous League outing.
A defensive set-up frustrated the hosts, with Jamie Vardy’s effort blocked by Jack O’Connell before Vardy curled another shot just wide of the far post.
A poor clearing header from Danny Simpson almost allowed Enda Stevens to score but Harry Maguire through himself in front of the ball to stop a certain goal. At the other end Vardy should have given his side the lead from Riyad Mahrez’s pass, however the England striker could not beat Jamal Blackman.
Leicester continued to dominate posession and chances but were remained unable to break the deadlock.
But with 66 minutes played that changed. Mahrez’s twisting run left George Baldock flat-footed and the winger found enough space to deliver a cross to the far post where Vardy looped a header over Blackman.
The goalkeeper produced a fine save to deny Demarai Gray while his opposite number, Kasper Schmeichel, denied Baldock a leveller.
Vardy thought he had doubled the Foxes’ lead when he placed the ball in the net, however the assistant judged Mahrez to have been marginally offside when he sent a header across goal.
The Blades will be pleased with their performance, however they can now focus their efforts on making a late surge for the Sky Bet Championship play-off spaces.
