Sheffield United reached the last eight of The FA Cup for the first time in a decade after coming from behind to down Nottingham Forest by 3-1.
Two late goals from Chris Porter sent Bramall Lane into raptures, as Conor Coady had earlier cancelled out Jamie Paterson’s first-half effort before Porter’s brace set up a potential Steel City derby in the quarter finals.
The tie held particular significance for Blades boss Nigel Clough. Not only did the former Derby manager’s time at the iPro Stadium come to an immediate end following defeat to Forest back in September, but the Sheffield United manager spent nine successful years at the City Ground during his playing career under the tutelage of his father and Forest favourite, Brian Clough.
Sheffield United 3-1 Nottingham Forest
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fifth Round Proper
3pm, Sunday 16 February
Bramall Lane
Winners receive £180,000
Little secret has also been made of the rivalry between Clough and opposite number Billy Davies and so the two would have undoubtedly been keen to oust the other out of the competition.
Following a fitting minute’s silence for the late England great Sir Tom Finney, the two sides exchanged early blows.
Radoslaw Majewski saw an effort well blocked and Greg Halford’s shot looped inches over the Blades' bar, before Jose Baxter struck from range in response.
As the first half wore on, however, it was the high-flying Championship outfit that looked the hungrier and they took the lead just before the half-hour mark.
Andy Reid’s clever cross found Paterson and he buried the chance with a lofted header to break the deadlock.
Blades star Jose Baxter in action against Forest
Clough’s side could have levelled not long after as Stefan Scougal was played through one-on-one, but his low strike was comfortably saved.
United threatened to equalise again early in the second half with both Harry McGuire and Scougal coming close, but it was Coady who popped up in the box following a mix-up in the opposition defence to tap into an open goal.
Forest responded well with Reid and substitute Jamie Mackie both denied by Mark Howard, but for all their pressure, the visitors simply couldn’t regain their lead.
And when Jamie Murphy's cross was handled in the box by Halford with just two minutes left on the clock, Porter stepped up from the spot to turn the tie on its head.
The hosts weren’t done either as Murphy and Porter combined again two minutes later to not only bring an end to Forest's outstanding 16-game unbeaten run and book their place in the final eight of the competition in the most dramatic style, but also set up a potential meeting with arch-rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the next round.
Sheffield United: (4-4-2) Howard, Harris (Hill, 90), Brayford, Maguire, Flynn, Doyle, Baxter (Porter, 86), Collins, Coady (McGinn, 90), Scougall, Murphy.
Substitutes not used: Miller, McGinn, Long, Kennedy, De Girolamo.
Goals: Coady 65, Porter 89, 90+2.
Cautions: Harris, Maguire, Collins.
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): De Vries, Collins, Henderson (Djebbour, 70), Reid, Fox, Halford, Lascelles, Jara, Paterson, Majewski (Abdoun, 77), Cox (Mackie, 68).
Substitutes not used: Darlow, Harding, Greening, Derbyshire.
Goals: Paterson 29.
Cautions: Lascelles, Reid, Fox.
Attendance: 25,118
Referee: Michael Oliver
