What was billed as a clash between two favourites for automatic promotion from the Nationwide first division this season sadly failed to live up to expectation, as both sides offered plenty in the way of endeavour and determination but failed to add the extra quality and cutting edge needed to turn one point into three.
In a largely dull and uneventful affair at Upton Park, Neil Warnock's enthusiastic team came to spoil the Hammers' passing game and cut off the supply to in-form front men Jermain Defoe and David Connolly - and succeeded in their plan.
Glenn Roeder had made three changes from the team that beat Rushden & Diamonds in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night. Ian Pearce made a timely return from suspension and injury to take his place in the centre of defence, as a defensive reshuffle saw Tomas Repka move to right-back in place of the injured Anton Ferdinand.
Don Hutchison also returned to action after missing the midweek victory, while there was another debut in Roeder's side - new signing Kevin Horlock, who settled in alongside Robert Lee in the centre of midfield but was forced to display his versatility early on as the Hammers boss faced up to more injury woe.
Just 28 minutes had gone when Rufus Brevett pulled up with a twisted ankle and was forced to limp off after vainly attempting to run it off. Horlock reverted to left-back - the position he began his career in as an apprentice at Upton Park - while Richard Garcia came on and Don Hutchison moved inside to a central berth. Brevett's misfortune means that Roeder has lost three full-backs in the space of three days following Ferdinand's injury and Sebastien Schemmel's departure, further strengthening the need for defensive reinforcements in the coming weeks.
Even at that early stage, the signs were already there that this was going to be a difficult afternoon for Hammers. With the visitors getting men back behind the ball at every opportunity, space in the attacking third was at a premium and possession was wasted too freely by both sides. Too often, the hosts resorted to long balls forward from the back that were never going to benefit our pint-sized strikeforce.
On the few occasions that Hammers did manage to cause their opponents problems, though, it was Defoe who was the chief instigator. The England under-21 striker created the only chances of any note in a dour first half, first turning magnificently to send in an inviting cross that almost reached Connolly in the 18th minute, and then wriggling free on the left before firing in a low shot that Blades keeper Paddy Kenny turned on to the post.
Sadly for the 28,972 crowd, the second half followed in similar fashion to the first and more frustration followed for Defoe and co. In the 57th minute, the young number nine finally appeared to have made the breakthrough when he collected a pass from Etherington on the right and cut inside past two defenders, but somehow he fired his shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Roeder introduced on-loan striker Neil Mellor for his home debut in the 69th minute as a substitute for substitute Garcia but, although the 20-year-old added physical presence to the front-line, Hammers just couldn't conjure up the one golden chance that Defoe and Connolly were praying for. Defoe's magnificent turn and superb low cross late on would surely have provided that moment - had he been on the end of it. A class above anything else on display this afternoon, the closing of the transfer window on August 31 can't come quicker for Hammers fans fearing a swoop for Defoe from the Premiership big-boys - his presence really is vital to our hopes of promotion this year.
Sheffield United finally mustered their one and only shot on target in the entire game on 71 minutes, when Peter Ndlovu found space on the right and fired in a low shot that the previously untroubled David James did well to turn round the post, but a well-organised Hammers defence never looked in danger of conceding.
It was a similar story at the other end and, although Etherington burst into life with some exciting surges in the closing stages, the attacking finale the Upton Park faithful were screaming for sadly didn't materialise.
Hammers face more tough Yorkshire grit next week when they travel to Rotherham United. The Millers aren't likely to possess the same level of concentration or discipline as the Blades, but Roeder's men will certainly need to show more creativity and quality if they are to get the winning run back on track straight away.
Minute-by-minute:
2 - The visitors have the first shot of the afternoon, a speculative 25-yard volley from Peter Ndlovu that flies high over the bar.
9 - Page booked for dissent.
11 - Morgan booked for arguing.
11 - Pearce booked for arguing.
11 - After being fouled by Page, Defoe curls a free-kick from 20 yards out straight into the arms of goalkeeper Kenny.
18 - After a slow opening, Hammers go close to taking the lead. Defoe's neat turn creates a yard of space by the corner flag and he whips in a superb cross that is heading for the boot of Connolly before a defender flicks out a leg to divert it wide for a corner.
29 - Connolly booked for foul on Montgomery.
31 - Substitution for West Ham United, Garcia replaces Brevett, who limps off with an ankle injury.
33 - Hammers go close again, and again it is Defoe who makes the difference. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, he twists and turns Page before firing in a low left-foot shot that Kenny manages to push on to the post. The ball rebounds out to the edge of the six yard box, but Connolly can only divert the ball wide.
42 - After Dailly nods down a long ball from the back, Ward collects and sends a dipping volley on to the roof of the net from 25 yards out.
43 - Hutchison's cross from the left is met by Pearce, whose downward header is gathered by Kenny on his goalline.
45 - Defoe booked for dissent.
Added time: 2 minutes.
Half-time: West Ham United 0 Sheffield United 0.
Second Half:
51 - Hutchison's left-foot effort from the edge of the penalty area is easily gathered by Kenny.
53 - Ward's knock-down finds Lester, who takes a touch on the edge of the area before rifling a shot just over the bar.
57 - Defoe is getting closer to the target and continually worrying the Blades defence as he collects a pass from Etherington and cuts inside from the right before firing a fierce left-foot shot just inches over the bar.
69 - Substitution for West Ham, Mellor replaces Garcia.
71 - Sheffield United's first shot on target almost brings a goal, as Ndlovu's low shot is saved well by James at his near post. The block also results in a first corner of the match for the visitors.
86 - Substitution for West Ham, Noble replaces Lee.
89 - Hutchison booked for dissent.
Added time: 3 minutes.
Full-time: West Ham United 0 Sheffield United 0.