E call robs Blades of equaliser

from the home side in the opening 10 minutes was a shocking free-kick struck with the outside of Bamford’s eft foot which flew embarrassingly high and wide.

The former Chelsea man did create a slight opportunity for Gestede at the edge of Blackman’s box, but the Boro striker’s progress was halted by Richard Stearman.

But after going ahead, Middlesbrough should have added to their lead.

Bamford, still looking for his first goal since his return to the Riverside last season, shot narrowly wide with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

And Gestede, who had only scored twice for Middlesbrough in the Premier League and FA Cup last season, was denied his second when he met Cyrus Christie’s cross but his glancing header brushed the post.

His rising header beat Blackman but brushed against the outside of the woodwork.

Adam Forshaw and Bamford also fired narrowly over and wide just before half-time at the conclusion of two neat Boro moves.

Boro are favourites for the Championship but they rarely troubled the Blades’ five-man defence in the second half despite Garry Monk showcasing more than £35million worth of summer signings.

And it needed a superb one-handed stop from Darren MIDDLESBROUGH: SHEFFIELD UTD: REFEREE: Randolph to secure a first win of the season.

The Republic of Ireland No.1 kept out Paul Coutts’ low drive from the edge of the area with a one-handed save.

Irish team-mate, Christie, one of four Boro players making their first Riverside appearance, could have secured the points with 15 minutes to go but finished a driving run with a near-post shot into Blackman’s gloves.

The home side almost doubled their lead seven minutes later when Adam Clayton’s deep corner found George Friend whose bouncing effort flew wide.

Before the end, Monk sent on new signing Lewis Baker, a recent loan recruit from Chelsea, plus former captain Grant Leadbitter, a target for his former club, Sunderland.