Paul Heckingbottom reacts to key Sheffield United frustration v Blackpool

Sheffield United’s play-off pursuit was stalled a touch by a goalless draw at Blackpool on Wednesday evening.

Victories for Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Millwall have made the Blades dropping points more significant in the race for the top six, and Paul Heckingbottom was extremely frustrated by some decisions from the officials after the game.

The 44-year-old got a lot off his chest when he spoke to the Sheffield Star.

Heckingbottom said: “If they could see it (the officials) they would feel the same way I do about them.

“We scored two goals, came here and did what we had to do, and then had both of them taken away from us.

“Neither of them were offside, even though that’s what they were both given for.

“Sander (Berge) was onside and then Ollie’s (Norwood) one – he puts the ball in the back of the net and although the ref might have seen the assistant’s flag, he should also have seen there was no one standing in an offside position between him and the ball.

“I’ll speak to them afterwards, and they (the officials) will say the same thing I will.

“They’ll have to when they watch the replays back again, because they’ll see the same thing I have.

“I don’t come out here and make stuff like that up.

“I’ve watched both (incidents) and they both should have stood.

“It’s just so frustrating because we knew what type of game it would be and we executed the plan, did what we had to do. But then those get taken away from us.”

The Blades looked imperious after their 4-1 win over Middlesbrough last midweek, but picking up just one point from their next two has stalled their progress and could make things a bit nervy in the long run in looking to secure a top six spot.

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