Birmingham edges Blades in Carabao Cup epic
Jay Stansfield played the role of super sub as his late goal helped Birmingham City into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
In the only all-Championship encounter of the day, it was the Blues who produced the goods to set up a clash with League One Port Vale in their next match in the competition.
Birmingham led with just five minutes on the clock when Demari Gray teed up Kyogo Furuhashi to score his first goal for his new club after a mistake by Dovydas Sasnauskas.
Chris Davies's side dominated the opening exchanges and should have doubled its advantage through Kyogo, but the Birmingham number nine was unable to find the target.
The hosts' wastefulness was almost punished a minute before half-time when visiting striker Thomas Cannon saw his fierce effort from distance rattle against the crossbar.
But the Blades hauled themselves level in the 72nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Gustavo Hamer, who beat James Beadle from the halfway line.
However, there was to be one final twist, with Stansfield twisting and turning on the edge of the box before seeing his deflected effort nestle into the net three minutes from time.
Elsewhere, the Blades' city rival, Sheffield Wednesday, played out a six-goal thriller with League One side Bolton Wanderers before winning a penalty shootout 4-2.
After a 3-3 draw in normal time, Pierce Charles' saved efforts from Aaron Morley and Max Conway to allow Liam Palmer to net the winning effort from 12 yards.
The Owls' reward for their triumph is a tie against Premier League opposition, with Leeds United the visitor to Hillsborough during the week beginning 25 August.
