Sheffield United 0 Birmingham 4: Rooney double crushes Blades' Cup dream

Adam Rooney's double
helped Birmingham cruise through to the fifth round of the FA Cup as
Sheffield United's eight-match winning run at Bramall Lane came to a
shuddering halt.

The
23-year-old Irishman struck seven minutes before half-time, after
Birmingham teenager Nathan Redmond had scored against the run of play in
the 18th minute.

Double trouble: Adam Rooney scored twice

HEADER HERE

Sheff Utd: Simonsen, Lowton, Maguire, Collins, Jean-Francois (Williams 60), Williamson, McDonald, Doyle, Quinn (Flynn 72), Cresswell (Porter 72), Evans. Subs Not Used: Long, Montgomery, Ertl, Philliskirk.

Booked: McDonald.

Birmingham: Doyle, Spector, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy, Burke (Gnahore 80),Mutch (Reilly 80), Gomis, Elliott, Redmond, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Butland, Ibanez, Fahey, Zigic, Valles.

Goals: Redmond 18, Rooney 38, Elliott 58, Rooney 78.

Att: 18,072

Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Birmingham never looked back after
Rooney had added that second goal, and although the Blades struck the
woodwork twice in a matter of seconds shortly after the restart, Wade
Elliott added a third for the Championship side and Rooney wrapped up
the contest in the 78th minute.

Danny Wilson's Blades are flying high in npower League One as they bid to bounce straight back to the second tier.

But they were no match for Chris Hughton's in-form side, who have now
won their last five matches and are unbeaten in their last nine.

The home side were unchanged for the fourth game running, while Hughton
recalled goalkeeper Colin Doyle, midfielders Morgaro Gomis, Redmond and
Elliott, plus striker Rooney.

The tie's opening chance fell to the
Blades in the fourth minute. Full-back Matt Lowton crossed from the
right and midfielder Kevin McDonald's well-struck shot from the edge of
the penalty area was blocked by defender Curtis Davies.

Ched Evans was next to threaten as United made all the early running, but Birmingham shocked them by taking the lead.

Hit man: Elliott strikes for Birmingham

Wade to go: Elliott celebrates

Midfielder Jordon Mutch swung over a corner from the right and when the
ball broke to Redmond on the edge of the penalty area, the 17-year-old
rifled home a low shot into the centre of goal.

Redmond fired another effort just wide when cutting in from his wing
five minutes later as the visitors seized the initiative, but Blades
striker Evans forced Doyle into a smart save with a 20-yard free-kick in
the 27th minute.

Full of
confidence, Redmond tried his luck from further out, but his 30-yard
rocket was just off target, while Evans lashed a volley wide from a
similar distance.

Pointing the way: One Birmingham fan is already thinking of a return to Wembley

But,
buoyed by their initial breakthrough, Birmingham carried all the
momentum and when they doubled their lead through Rooney it was no more
than they deserved. Winger Chris Burke waltzed into the penalty area and
played the ball square for Rooney to lash home his fifth goal of the
season, high into the net from six yards.

The Blades had chances to get back into the game seven minutes after the restart but luck was not on their side.

Lee Williamson's crisp shot from inside the area hit the crossbar and
Lowton's follow-up effort also came back off the woodwork with
Birmingham goalkeeper Doyle well beaten.

Tussle: Ched Evans of Sheffield United battles with Birmingham's David Murphy

But it was not to be United's day and Elliott rubbed salt into their
wounds when thundering home the visitors' third goal from 20 yards five
minutes later.

Rooney sidefooted home the fourth goal following David Murphy's cross.