NO matter how much Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell might dislike the comparison, there is still a strong feeling of the sorcerer meeting his apprentice when Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock sits in the opposing dugout to his former number two.

Last night's 1-1 draw between the teams, although infinitely more palatable to Elland Road regulars than last season's humiliating 4-0 humbling, did little to shatter that image.

When Leeds took a 53rd-minute lead courtesy of Frazer Richardson's second goal of the season, the crowing Kop taunted the Blades boss with chants of "Warnock, what's the score?"

The controversial former Scarborough, Oldham and Notts County manager, who had revelled in his pantomime villain role all evening, gamely responded but also pointed to his watch, reminding Leeds fans that there was still time for his team to snatch some reward from a game that they did not deserve to be losing.

He sent on Keith Gillespie and Danny Webber soon afterwards and was rewarded for his attacking intentions with a 69th minute equaliser from man-of-the-match Steve Kabba.

Leeds did not venture into the visitors' penalty box after their goal until a late rally in the final five minutes.

They appeared almost surprised to have taken the lead and seemingly content to try to cling on to their slender advantage rather than having the confidence to seize full control of the match.

The Blades, clearly, deserve some respect as Championship leaders and Blackwell obviously still holds his managerial mentor and adversary in high esteem. But it is debatable whether, when you compare the two squads' respective strengths, Leeds should be 12 points adrift of their South Yorkshire rivals and satisfied with a 1-1 home draw.

Phil Jagielka, who was one of the game's three most impressive players, along with Kabba and Alan Quinn, went close to opening the scoring on nine minutes when his powerful 25-yard drive whistled narrowly wide of Neil Sullivan's top left-hand corner.

Clever movement by Kabba then created the chance for a low shot that was beaten out by Sullivan and the Leeds 'keeper palmed over an edge-of-the-box strike from the same player after he had skipped past Paul Butler and Jonathan Douglas midway through the first half.

Leeds left-back Dan Harding went close from 25 yards with his right foot on 24 minutes, while Jagielka sent a half-volley from a similar distance just over Sullivan's crossbar at the other end.

Rob Hulse bravely dived to get on the end of Robbie Blake's deflected cross but his header from three yards surprisingly missed the target.

Leeds forged in front early in the second half when Blake fed Richardson, who charged into the penalty box before unleashing an angled drive that rocketed into the roof of Paddy Kenny's net.

Kabba's equalised when he shot low across Sullivan into the bottom right-hand corner after the Blades had been afforded the space and time to pass the ball across the edge of the home penalty box before creating an opening.

A disgruntled Blake, who angrily shoved Blackwell aside after his substitution despite looking unfit, made way for David Healy on 75 minutes but Leeds only created late half-chances for Hulse and Ian Moore neither could take.

Coca-Cola Championship

Leeds United 1, Sheffield United 1

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Neil Sullivan, Gary Kelly, Paul Butler, Matthew Kilgallon, Dan Harding, Frazer Richardson (Gylfi Einarsson, 78), Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas (Ian Moore, 84), Eddie Lewis, Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake (David Healy, 75). Subs not used: Sean Gregan, Ian Bennett, Ian Moore. Scorer: Richardson, 53.

Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Leigh Bromby, Chris Morgan, Alan Wright, Paul Ifill (Keith Gillespie, 59), Phil Jagielka, Nick Montgomery, Alan Quinn, Neil Shipperley (Danny Webber, 65), Steve Kabba (Vincent Pericard, 87). Subs not used: Craig Short, Michael Tonge. Scorer: Kabba, 69.

Referee: Alan Wiley.

Attendance: 23,600.

Updated: 09:17 Saturday, October 22, 2005