THE prize of a place in the last eight of the FA Cup could turn into a Trojan horse for these two clubs - an ostensibly grand gift but with trouble lurking within it.

While moving within touching distance of Wembley would nearly always be regarded as a bonus rather than a burden, the potential pitfalls are obvious too. In the wider scheme of things, the Cup is secondary to Premier League survival in Hull’s case, and promotion in Sheffield United’s.

A quarter-final tie, and the allure of some starry glamour, can’t be a distraction from the day job - especially as Hull have won only one of their last 13 League matches and United’s playoff fortunes have dimmed too. The last thing either really wanted was a replay.

Even though both Kevin Blackwell and Phil Brown tinkered with team selection, both managers believed the changes might still have given them the edge. As it turned out, home advantage wasn’t decisive enough for United, and Hull didn’t reveal sufficient Premier League nous to dispense with the inconvenience of a second match on Thursday February 26.

It was inconclusive for a reason.

For much of the time, this Yorkshire derby proved a stereotypical Cup affair. The passing was hurried and frenetic and chances were snatched at or botched in haste.

Bramall Lane must initially have seemed a cold and desolate place for Hull after the luxury of warm-weather training in Dubai. Having swapped an intense cobalt sky for a dull, grey one, the Tigers had barely become accustomed to their surroundings before United sprang into the lead with a collaborative effort between David Cotterill and Greg Halford.

Cotterill’s long, weighted cross was aimed perfectly towards the far post, Halford met it cleanly and his seventh-minute header looped beyond the almost statuesque Myhill as Hull gestured irritably – and in vain – for a foul.

Halford, a defender-turned-striker through circumstance, found himself in a far more familiar role after half an hour.

Chris Morgan suffered a recurrence of a knee injury, forcing Blackwell to bring on Danny Webber prematurely and switch Halford into the heart of his back four. He was blameless for the equaliser which came almost immediately afterwards. From an Andy Dawson free kick, Kamil Zayatte muscled ahead and steered the ball beyond goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from four yards with a flicked header.

Without James Beattie, sold to Stoke during the transfer window, and the cup-tied Ward, United strained for effect up front. The lack of a target man blunted them, and it gradually became all too apparent.

Zayatte’s goal brought more poise to Hull, who began to reveal the very occasional touch of class that separates the divisions. Richard Garcia would certainly have put them in front if Kenny had not scooped away his effort from close range.

It was hardly the anniversary party that Blackwell wanted to mark his first year in charge. Exactly a year ago he took over when United were loitering near the bottom of the Championship. Rather than matching the grand occasion with caviar and champagne, United served him a thin gruel. It ended what Blackwell had previously described as his “worst week” since joining them, a confession sparked by defeat in their private war against Sheffield Wednesday.

If there is a consolation for him, it came in the shape of Halford’s grittiness. His height and weighty presence might have turned it for them up front. Instead, he finished the match not only covering in defence, but also doing so with his forehead thickly wrapped in a bandage after a suffering a gash above his eye. He never flinched.

Star man:Greg Halford (Sheffield Utd)

Yellow cards: Hull:Mendy, Turner, Garcia Referee:A Marriner Attendance:22,283

SHEFFIELD UTD:Kenny 7, Jihai 7 (Naughton 60min, 7), Morgan 6 (Webber 31min, 7), Kilgallon 7, Naysmith 7, Halford 8, Montgomerie 7, Quinn 6, Hendrie 7 (Howard 73min), Cotterill 7, Sharp 6

HULL:Myhill 7, Ricketts 7, Turner 7, Gardner 7, Dawson 7, Zayatte 7, Mendy 7 (France 80min), Garcia 7 (Manucho 79min), Marney 7, Geovanni 6 (Barmby 73min), Folan 7