Neal Maupay struck to earn Albion a precious point at Bramall Lane.

The recalled striker netted for the first time since mid-December to secure a 1-1 draw away to high-flying Sheffield United.

His sharply-taken header on the half-hour cancelled out an Enda Stevens blast for the Blades.

Albion had to get through a lot of defending in the second half but showed impressive backbone and organisation to secure their reward.

Alexis Mac Allister will have to wait for his debut after missing out on the 18 although he travelled with the squad.

But there was no shortage of talking points in the Seagulls side.

Glenn Murray and Maupay both started and there was an array of height at the back in a three of Adam Webster, Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk with Ezequiel Schelotto and Dan Burn at wing-backs.

Yves Bissouma came into the side for his first league action since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on New Year’s Day.

Sheffield United named the side which beat Bournemouth in their previous game.

Bissouma was on a yellow card from the 11th minute after two fouls on the lively John Fleck.

Billy Sharp volleyed a very good chance wide from the far post early on.

But United went ahead on 26 minutes when Albion switched off at a corner on their left.

They reacted too slowly to a short corner routine and, though the subsequent unchallenged cross was half cleared, the ball fell to Stevens, who fired a fierce shot into the top corner.

Albion were level four minutes later.

Aaron Mooy hung a ball high into the icy wind as he delivered a free-kick from wide on the Albion right near halfway.

Webster won the header above Chris Basham at the far post and Maupay showed great reactions to nip in and nod past Dean Henderson.

A similar formula should have seen Albion go ahead early in the second half after Maupay’s shot deflected for a corner.

Mooy delivered deep from the left, Duffy won the knock down but Dunk hooked his shot over the bar when well-placed.

That sparked United into more life as they attacked the Kop end.

Ryan made a very sharp block at close quarters when a corner dropped to Oli McBurnie.

Then Fleck angled a shot across goal and wide from outside the box.

Maupay almost caught out Henderson with a volley from the right edge of the box which dipped over the bar.

There was a video check when Schelotto’s volleyed cross hit half-time sub Ben Osborn on the arm in the home box.

Albion though, had to dig in and be strong, their back-line very much now a five rather than three and their fans behind Henderson’s goal watching most of the action from long distance.

Graham Potter looked to offer a different threat with a double change on 75 minutes.

Aaron Connolly replaced Murray and Leandro Trossard went on for Schelotto, which meant Webster going to right-back in a four as the Belgian played on the left wing.

The revised set-up had a let-off when McBurnie, unmarked as a low cross came in from the United left, shinned a shot wide.

There was still a lot of defending to do and Ryan made a good save from McBurnie – but Albion saw it through for a point.

Sheffield United: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Berge (Lundstram 81), Norwood, Fleck, Stevens (Osborn 46); McBurnie, Sharp (McGoldrick 74). Subs: Verrips, Retsos, Jagielka, Mousset.

Goal: Stevens 26.

Albion: Ryan; Webster, Duffy, Dunk; Schelotto (Trossard 75), Bissouma, Propper, Mooy, Burn; Murray (Connolly 74), Maupay (Bernardo 90+3). Subs: Button, Gross, March, Jahanbakhsh.

Goal: Maupay 30.

Yellow card: Bissouma (11) foul, Propper (24) foul.

Referee: Graham Scott.

Attendance: 31,888.