Burnley dominated, but could not break down the Blades to register their first Bramall Lane victory in 34 years.

The Clarets were on top for long periods against the former Premiership side. But ironically on a day when they picked up their first clean sheet in nine outings, the free-scoring Clarets also drew a blank.

Robbie Blake came closest to sealing the victory with a wicked free kick that flew inches wide in the first half.

Returning defender Dave Unsworth might have won it late on with a headed goal that was harshly disallowed for pushing.

And United suffered their own agony in the 90th minute when they too had a goalchalked off for pushing.

Burnley made just one change from the side that faced Southampton. Unsworth, who replaced skipper Steven Caldwell against the Saints, was back in the starting line up alongside captain Graham Alexander.

Former United striker Andy Gray was also back on familiar territory.

And the connections stretched to the home ranks, where with former loanees Gary Cahill and Phil Bardsley lining up alongside Luton Shelton, who would have joined the Clarets but for a failed work permit application.

Dave Unsworth challenges with Luton Shelton

United had the first opening in the fifth minute when Shelton's clever flick freed Danny Webber, whose fierce drive was deflected into the side netting.

Burnley's response came 15 minutes in, following some excellent hold up play by Robbie Blake. Eventually he rolled the ball back fro Alexander to cross form the right and Clarke Carlisle was inches too high with is towering far post header.

The Clarets were now playing some sweet passing football and only a last gasp Bardsley interception denied Gray a near post tap in.

But it took a fantastic point-blank save from Gabor Kiraly in the 25th minute to keep the scores level. Gary Naysmith evaded Alexander's tackle and his cross was met by a bullet header from James Beattie that the Hungarian somehow parried away on his goal line.

Kiraly was again smart on the half hour when he dashed from goal and dived in to deny Webber with his legs as the former Watford striker raced into the box.

But if the Blades thought they were in the ascendancy, Burnley had other ideas and Blake came agonisingly close with a fantastic 35-yard free kick that curled into the side netting.

The contest was now a frantic, fast paced even contest, with both teams defending resolutely to keep the stalemate intact.

However, as Burnley flew out of the blocks from the restart, they should have made the all-important breakthrough. Three minutes in, Blake turned creator, twisting and turning in the box and hanging a cross up to the far post where Wade Elliott, totally unmarked, headed straight at Ian Bennett.

And in the 51st minute, Blake rolled a quickly taken free kick inside to Alexander, whose low curler from 25 yards was well saved by Bennett at the foot of the post.

Alexander then reverted to type, showing fantastic timing to make a last ditch tackle to deny a rampaging Shelton a clear run on goal.

On the hour mark, Burnley were forced into their first substitution. Another former Bramall Lane favourite, Jon Harley, made his first appearance since mid-September, replacing Stephen Jordan who suffered a twisted ankle.

As the half progressed, the home crowd began to turn on manager Bryan Robson as the Clarets pressed for the breakthrough goal.

And the noise was ratched up even further when Nick Montgomery made a terrific face-saving header yards from goal from Alexander's whipped cross.

Alan Mahon replaced Lafferty with 15 minutes left.

And as the pressure mounted, Unsworth found the net with a towering header from Blake's corner. However, referee Richard Beeby spotted a foul and awarded United a fortuitous free kick.

And there was more controversy in the final minute when United thought they had snatched an unlikely victory.

Beattie rose above Harley at the far post and his nod across goal was turned in by Webber. But again Beeby disallowed the goal for Beattie's initial leap.

However, a defeat would have been a travesty for Burnley, who could feel aggrieved to only come away with one point.

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander, Carlisle, Unsworth, Jordan (Harley 59), Elliott, McCann, Spicer, Lafferty (Mahon 75), Gray, Blake.
Subs: J O'Connor, Akinbiyi, Jensen

Sheffield United: Bennett, Naysmith, Bardsley, Beattie, Shelton, Webber, Kilgallon, Tonge (Quinn 64), Gillespie (Montgomery 64), Armstrong, Cahill.
Subs: Morgan, Stead, Sharp.

Ref: R Beeby

Att: 25,306