Neil Warnock could start life in the Premiership next season on the sidelines after the Sheffield United boss was sent off during last night's party-pooping draw with Leeds.

Warnock clashed with his Leeds counterpart Kevin Blackwell, his former assistant at Sheffield United, Bury and Scarborough, after a tackle by Leeds' Gary Kelly on Blades' veteran defender Craig Short.

When Warnock refused to calm down, referee Graham Poll - England's sole refereeing representative in this summer's World Cup - sent him to the stands.

Said Warnock: "I am very disappointed to be sent off and I don't think it was warranted at all.

"I made a comment to Blackie about his players' tackles and the fourth official took offence to that."

Leeds boss Blackwell said: "It was a cracking derby with passion and desire - the sort people demand.

"Both teams went at it hammer and tongs and I thought the referee Graham Poll did a good job. No-one wants to see players sent off and he dealt sensibly with the situation involving Kelly and Short.

"They both went in for the ball, neither pulled out and the referee read it well."

David Healy's 13th goal of the season spoiled promoted Sheffield United's celebration party at Bramall Lane, where Leeds stretched their run of games without a win to eight.

That elusive victory should come on Saturday when relegated Crewe visit Elland Road, though Blackwell is likely to rest some of his regulars in readiness for the end of season play-offs.

Last night's result left Leeds in fifth place, a point behind Preston, two points adrift of third-placed Watford and two points ahead of sixth-placed Crystal Palace.

Blackwell kept an unchanged team, rewarding Norwegian international Eirik Bakke for an impressive display against Reading, but the midfielder headed David Unsworth's tenth minute corner into his own net.

However, when Bakke inter-passed with Healy three minutes before the interval, the Northern Ireland international scored with a superb left-foot strike from 22 yards.

Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola Championship

Sheffield United 1, Leeds United 1

(at Bramall Lane)

Sheffield United: Kenny, Geary, Short, Lucketti, Unsworth, Kabba (Dyer 82), Jagielka, Montgomery (Armstrong 60), Tonge, Webber (Ifill 79), Akinbiyi. Subs (not used): Morgan, Shipperley. Goal: Bakke og 10.

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Douglas, Bakke (Pugh 80), Miller, Derry, Healy (Moore 79), Hulse. Subs (not used): Bennett, Beckford, Graham. Goal: Healy 42. Cautions: Crainey, Kelly, Miller, Derry.

Referee: Graham Poll (Herts).

Attendance: 29,329.

Updated: 09:46 Wednesday, April 19, 2006