Rovers and Barnsley win, Blades, Bantams and York all draw
Nigel Clough’s side came into the game on a high after reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup in midweek, but failed to reach those heights in a poor first half.
Jose Baxter should have done better but headed over from eight yards out.
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Hide AdAfter half-time, the Blades were forced to reshuffle the back four as Ryan Flynn stayed off with a hamstring injury.
United broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break when O’Grady - the former Sheffield Wednesday striker on loan from Brighton - tucked the ball beyond Richard O’Donnell in the visitors’ goal.
But the lead did not last for long, as a prolonged spell of passing from the Saddlers ended with Tom Bradshaw rising unchallenged to head home an equaliser.
And despite the introduction of Marc McNulty - who netted the quarter-final winner against Southampton - the Blades were unable to snatch a late winner.
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Hide AdElsewhere in League One, there were wins for Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley while Bradford City were held at home.
Rovers won 1-0 at Swindown Town, thanks to Theo Robinson’s penalty, while the Tykes triumphed 2-0 against Orient at Oakwell with first-half goals from Conor Hourihane and Devante Cole.
The Bantams drew 1-1 with Scunthorpe, Rory McArdle’s effort cancelled out by Hakeeb Adelakun’s stoppage time goal.
In League Two, York City came away from Bury with a 2-2 draw.
Daniel Nardiello and Andrew Tutte put the hosts 2-0 up on 62 minutes, only for Jake Hyde and Luke Summerfield to produce a stunning fightback for the Minstermen.