Ex-Sydney star Carney joined the action after 54 minutes, after previously only playing for the club in the Carling Cup.

But Super Dave didn't have a game to remember, giving away one freekick with his challenge and another when he handballed.

It was fellow new Blades signing James Beattie who shone on the night.

His renaissance continued in the most spectacular fashion as he fired home from 35 yards in the 88th minute to rescue Sheffield United from another damaging away defeat.

Ben Burgess headed Blackpool 2-1 ahead just moments earlier but Beattie saw his hopeful punt squirm under Seasiders goalkeeper Paul Rachubka for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season.

The former Everton man's equaliser marked a remarkable end to an entertaining encounter played out in a swirling wind which certainly did Rachubka no favours when Beattie took his long punt from distance.

Beattie headed United into a 13th-minute lead before Stephen Crainey's 45th-minute free-kick drew the hosts level.

But while Beattie saved United from a third straight away defeat, Bryan Robson's men left the Lancashire coast having failed to register a single win on their travels in 2007.

Nine months have passed since Rob Hulse's goal handed the Blades a 1-0 win at Wigan last December.

A draw at least represents progress of sorts for United, but it is worth noting that Blackpool stay above them in the table.

The Seasiders are commanding respect in their first campaign in the second tier for 29 years.

They exposed United's travel sickness during a blistering opening period.

In the second minute, Seasiders midfielder David Fox sought to test Paddy Kenny in the United goal with a vicious 25-yard strike which flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Moments later Beattie slipped a clever pass through to Chris Armstrong but he failed to control the ball when well placed inside the box and Blackpool immediately tore upfield to create the first clear-cut opening.

The architect was the talismanic Wes Hoolahan, who fed Crainey down the left flank.

His whipped cross was greeted by a thunderous volley from Burgess but the striker's effort rebounded off the outside of a post.

Yet United remained a threat and a teasing cross from Stephen Quinn was almost diverted into his own net by Shaun Barker, but Rachubka made a fine one-handed save.

Then came Beattie's opener when Jon Stead cut inside from the left flank and produced a pinpoint delivery to the far post.

Beattie, who is enjoying a new lease of life since arriving from Everton last month in a $10million move, planted a superb header into the far corner for his fifth goal of the season.

Yet at the same time Blackpool continued to build up a head of steam.

A miscued clearance from Blades left-back Gary Naysmith almost looped over Kenny but the Irishman showed notable agility to arch backwards and the ball behind for a corner.

Burgess then belied his huge frame six minutes before the break when he collected possession 25 yards from goal, cut inside and curled a delightful left-foot strike inches wide of the top corner as United breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Crainey's effort from a similar distance flew past Kenny at his near post and ensured Blackpool headed in at the break on level terms.

Genuine goalscoring chances were scarce in the second period but Taylor-Fletcher should have found the net in the 70th minute when he side-footed weakly into Kenny's midriff after Andy Morrell played him clean through.

And although Burgess rose highest to head home in the 87th minute, Beattie hit back seconds later to save United's skins and leave Rachubka utterly humiliated.