Ross McCormack's second-half brace, including one from the penalty spot, helped Fulham knock 2015 semi-finalists Sheffield United out of the Capital One Cup this evening.

The Blades almost gave their travelling support plenty to shout about at Craven Cottage when Martyn Woolford's shot was saved by Andy Lonergan in the opening minutes.

However, Fulham gave Nigel Adkins's men a scare when Ryan Tunnicliffe unleashed a fierce shot that came back off George Long's crossbar.

Midway through the half, Alexander Kacaniklic was denied by Long before Moussa Dembele twice squandered opportunities to give the Cottagers a half-time lead.

Instead, United came close to edging ahead, but Woolford was again denied by the intervention of Lonergan.

However, Fulham were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes when Tunnicliffe was brought down in the area by Kieran Wallace.

McCormack stepped up to slide his spot kick into the bottom corner of Long's net.

Michael Higdon tried to equalise for the visitors, but blazed over Lonergan's bar to keep Kit Symons's men ahead.

Fulham made the Blades pay for their missed chances when Ben Pringle teed up McCormack and the ex-Leeds United forward placed his shot beyond the reach of Long.

The South Yorkshire side's night worsened when Jose Baxter was sent off in the 88th minute before Wallace was also dismissed soon after as the away side finished the game with nine men.

Dembele rounded off United's miserable evening with a third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to see the Cottagers safely through.