A Dean Windass penalty early in the second half earned the Tigers a 1-1 draw from their Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

City had fallen behind to Jon Stead's goal ten minutes before the break, but a foul on Fraizer Campbell in the box allowed Windass to restore parity.

As expected, Phil Brown made just one change to his starting eleven, bringing Ian Ashbee in for the suspended Dean Marney. Ashbee also resumed his duties as captain.

There was one change on the bench as well with Jay-Jay Okocha replacing Stuart Elliott.

City conceded a corner in the seventh minute when Michael Tonge's cross had to be stopped by Wayne Brown. The Tigers weren't alert to the quick set-piece and had to concede another when the ball eventually came into the box. This time James Beattie headed at the far post.

Boaz Myhill caused a small amount of concern when he came to the edge of his box to try and clear a long ball and only found Beattie with his clearance, but the striker failed to take advantage.

At the other end, Campbell was sent scampering away but his early shot went straight into the hands if Ian Bennett.

Good work from Bryan Hughes down the left won City their first corner in the 20th minute. Hughes worked a short routine with Windass but when the ball was eventually delivered to the back post, Bennett claimed it well.

Windass provided the threat in the box moments later when Campbell crossed from the left, but the forward headed over when under pressure.

United had the chance to threaten on 27 minutes when Beattie was needlessly brought down by Wayne Brown. Alan Quinn delivered but Ashbee produced a good defensive header.

City won a free kick of their own seconds later when Richard Garcia was brought down by Tonge, who was booked for the challenge. David Livermore delivered and forced Bennett to palm the ball away for a corner which Hughes wasted.

Stead was the next man to be shown a yellow card after a wild challenge on Hughes. From the resulting free kick Damien Delaney headed just wide.

The Blades took the lead in the 35th minute. Quinn produced a superb through ball for Stead who finished coolly under the advancing Myhill.

Shortly before the break, Gary Cahill was booked for a strong challenge on Campbell.

During added time, City forced a corner when Garcia's cross was headed behind by a defender with Windass lurking, but the Tigers couldn't take advantage.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 Blades

City created the first chance after the break when Sam Ricketts' inviting cross was met by Hughes beyond the far post, but he headed wide.

Campbell then won his side a corner on the right but although Livermore's delivery was good, it was well defended.

The Tigers were awarded a free kick on the edge of the United box on 51 minutes when Garcia was brought down by Stead but Livermore sent a low shot straight into the wall.

Two minutes later, City won a penalty. A quick throw from Hughes found Campbell in the box and as he looked to set Windass up, he was caught late.

Windass - who counts Sheffield United amongst his former clubs - stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Bennett the wrong way with a well placed kick.

Moments later, Windass played the ball into Ashbee's path on the edge of the area and his low effort forced a diving save from Bennett.

Suddenly, this Yorkshire derby had sparked into life.

Livermore was booked on 63 minutes after a foul in midfield, the referee playing advantage before cautioning the City midfielder.

Campbell had a glorious opportunity to put City in front in the 67th minute when Hughes' superb cross picked him out, but with time and space six yards out he headed wide.

Myhill then had to produce a wonder save to keep his side level, somehow keeping out Stead's close range header before Beattie headed the rebound wide, although the referee bizarrely awarded a corner.

From that, City countered and earned a corner of their own. Hughes' delivery was flicked away for a throw and from that, Delaney's hooked cross was flicked on by Windass to Garcia, who crashed a header against the bar.

With 19 minutes remaining, Okocha was introduced to the action in place of Livermore.

City then suffered an injury blow when Campbell limped off and had to be replaced by Stephen McPhee.

United almost won the game in the 82nd minute when Danny Webber went past Brown before squaring the ball. It hit Delaney and rolled agonisingly towards the city net until the Irishman recovered to clear.

City's final change saw Nicky Featherstone replace Garcia.

In a quiet final few minutes, neither side could create any real chances and both were forced to settle for a point.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Wayne Brown, Damien Delaney; Richard Garcia (Featherstone 82), Ian Ashbee [captain], David Livermore (Okocha 71), Bryan Hughes; Fraizer Campbell (McPhee 77), Dean Windass.

Subs: Matt Duke, Andy Dawson, Nicky Featherstone, Jay-Jay Okocha, Stephen McPhee.

Bookings: Livermore 64

Sheffield United: Ian Bennett; Phil Bardsley, Gary Cahill, Matt Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith [captain], Alan Quinn, Chris Armstrong, Michael Tonge; James Beattie, Danny Webber, Jon Stead.

Subs: Paul Gerrard, Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Billy Sharp.

Bookings: Tonge 29, Stead 31, Cahill 44