MIDDLESBROUGH came close to being the latest big-name casualty in the FA Cup.
Sheffield United hitman James Beattie hit the post in first-half stoppage time in the game's best chance.
But neither side could break the deadlock — and new Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will now take his team to the Riverside for a replay on February 26.
United started brightly as they looked for a Premier League scalp for the third successive round.
Matt Kilgallon warmed the fingers of Mark Schwarzer in the fifth minute with a half-volley.
The Blades were then denied a clear penalty when Billy Sharp's shot struck the arm of Fabio Rochemback but referee Chris Foy was unmoved.
The home side should have taken the lead in the 27th minute when Jon Stead rose highest in a crowd of Boro players, only to plant his seven-yard header fractionally wide.
Neither side could muster another chance before United came within a whisker of snatching the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Julio Arca's clumsy foul on Stephen Quinn gave United a free-kick on the edge of the box and Beattie stepped up to strike the outside of the left-hand post.
Chances were rare in the second half and neither side will be particularly pleased with a replay given their lowly positions in their respective divisions.
Emmanuel Pogatetz should have won it with a point-blank header in injury-time but it was cleared to safety by United.
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