The Maltese striker was hurled down in the box for the second time in two games; he picked himself up to slot home the leveller – cancelling out Shane Long’s opener.
Blades boss Micky Adams was without Robert Kozluk (suspension) and Nick Montgomery (injury) and was forced to make changes; however he was boosted by the return of Lee Williamson from suspension.
He also had Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Bjorn Helge Riise (Fulham) who both joined on loan. Vokes started the game alongside make shift Captain Richard Cresswell in attack whilst Norwegian international winger Riise was a second half substitute.
At times United played decent football and it has to be said that Reading’s quality was just as good as their opposition and a draw was a fair result in the end – though the hosts did encroach the majority of the possession.
But it was the Royals who struck a devastating blow with nine minutes remaining when Jobi McAnuff’s split open the defence for Shane Long capitalise and fire past Steve Simonsen.
Simonsen, in the Blades goal had previously denied the efforts of both McAnuff and Ivar Ingirmasson before the visitors took charge.
However, United’s relegation dog fight moved in a positive direction when Andy Griffin’s rash and needless challenge on Daniel Bogdanovic in the box brought the Maltese international down inside the penalty box – referee Mr. Kettle had no option but to award the penalty.
The former Barnsley striker stepped up and once again sent the keeper the wrong way to grab his fourth goal of the season, 1-1.
The draw left the Blades still in the bottom three, but only two points behind Crystal Palace who they face on Saturday at Selhurst Park.