Rob Hulse puts Sheffield United ahead against Everton

The Blades looked on course for a crucial victory after Rob Hulse turned in Colin Kazim-Richards' cross at the near post after 53 minutes.

But Kenny fumbled a simple catch and was forced to haul down Andrew Johnson with 15 minutes left.

Mikel Arteta crashed in the resulting penalty off the bar to keep Everton's hopes of a Uefa Cup place on course.

Interview: Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock

Interview: Everton boss David Moyes

It was a blood and thunder battle that lacked real quality, and Everton boss David Moyes will probably be happier than his opposite number Neil Warnock.

606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on the match

The opening 45 minutes was a truly dreadful affair, marked by a succession of free-kicks and what appeared to be an unofficial attempt on the world record for the number of throw-ins in a single game.

Jon Stead, who has proved a thorn in Everton's side throughout his career, posed the Blades' biggest threat with two low drives that brought saves out of Tim Howard.

Everton came close to taking the lead 12 minutes before the interval when Tim Cahill met Gary Naysmith's cross at the far post, but Claude Davis cleared off the line.

It was the Australian's final contribution as he was then carried off with a foot injury.

Sheffield United opened the second half with real vigour and took the lead after 52 minutes through Hulse.

Kazim-Richards escaped Naysmith on the right flank, and Hulse stole in front of the hestitant Joseph Yobo to score at the near post.

Moyes responded by removing the dismal James Beattie and sending on teenager James Vaughan, who proved a much livelier proposition.

The visitors had barely threatened, but they were presented with an equaliser by keeper Kenny with 15 minutes to go.

He fumbled a simple catch straight to Johnson, and hauled down the striker as he seized possession.

Arteta took the penalty, and breathed a huge sigh of relief when his spot-kick bounced just over the line via the bar.

Kenny then made amends two minutes later with a superb reflex save from Arteta's 25-yard free-kick.

It had been an incredibly physical encounter, and Everton almost snatched the points in injury time when substitute Leon Osman's header was just off target.

"He's saved us enough times this season, but it was not a coaching thing and he just took his eye off the ball.

"Andy Johnson is the last person you need on the end of a mistake like that and I have no complaints about the penalty. I don't know why keepers feel the need to bring people down because there were other defenders around."

"Anybody who comes to Sheffield United will have a tough game. They've beaten Arsenal and Spurs and drew with Liverpool, so that says it all.

"We are disappointed we didn't play better, but I was pleased with a point because we are on a decent run ourselves and we wanted to keep that going."

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Morgan (Alan Quinn 83), Davis, Armstrong, Kazim-Richards, Fathi, Jagielka, Stephen Quinn, Stead (Nade 61), Hulse.
Subs Not Used: Bromby, Webber, Gillespie.

Booked: Kenny, Davis, Nade.

Goals: Hulse 52.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Naysmith, Cahill (Osman 44), Carsley, Fernandes, Arteta, Johnson, Beattie (Vaughan 54).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Hibbert, Stubbs.

Booked: Beattie, Vaughan.

Goals: Arteta 75 pen.

Att: 32,019

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).