Sheaf impressive and McFadzean solid against home-town clubCoventry City earned a much deserved point at Sheffield United where clear cut chances were few and far between.
The Sky Blues had a game plan with a slightly changed formation, starting with a box midfield and just one up front, and it worked to good effect in a tight first half when the extra midfielder helped take the sting out of the Blades.
Former Coventry player of the year John Fleck was the first player to have an attempt on goal, screwing an effort well wide in front of the 2,725-strong Sky Blue Army, but the Scot still provided plenty of quality in midfield for the Blades, sparking a threatening attack that was dealt with on 12 minutes.
City, however, were the first to test the keeper when Ben Sheaf sent in a curling shot from just outside the box on the 15 minute mark, forcing Wes Foderingham to dive to his right to make a decent save as Coventry grew in confidence.
Callum O’Hare made the keeper work at his near post midway through the opening half when the home fans began to get restless and moan at their own players for their lack of endeavour.
And when left wing-back Enda Stevens got a rare shot off for the Blades towards the end of the half, but fired woefully wide, the United players left the field at the break to boos from their fans.
The home manager threw on another former Coventry player at the break, sending on one-time loan star David McGoldrick as he looked for more of an attacking threat.
But it was Viktor Gyokeres who forced another save from Foderingham with a snap shot from the edge of the box denied as the keeper dropped low to his left.
O’Hare dribbled his way into the box and went to ground after appearing to be caught by Fleck, who made a diving action with his hands as the City player appealed for a penalty, and the card happy referee Michael Salisbury booked the City player, much to his astonishment given that he’d tried to stay on his feet.
Robins then took Gus Hamer off as a precaution, with the midfielder on a yellow card, and switched to two up top, with Matty Godden and Tyler Walker going on as Gyokeres was withdrawn.
Morgan Gibbs-White fired wide when teed up by a team-mate and then turned provider minutes later, setting up McGoldrick who steered a free shot over the bar as United began to gain momentum.
Villa loan man Conor Hourihane found more worrying space to shoot on 73 minutes but sent it wide, while Simon Moore made his first save of the afternoon on 82 minutes to deny McGoldrick from distance.
And the former City star brought more frustration for the fans when he beat the off-side trap and fired high over the goal.
Liam Kelly replaced Sheaf as City looked add fresh legs to help see the game out as the visitors were forced increasingly deeper in the last ten nervous minutes when Gibbs-White was denied by a firm hand from Moore.
ATTENDANCE: 28,075 (2,725 away)