Middlesbrough 2-2 Sheffield United: Chuba Akpom rescues Chris Wilder's men with two equalisers to earn a point against the Blades after Sander Berge and Ryan Giles had twice put them in front at the Riverside

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He's the striker that no-one really seemed to want but Chuba Akpom is happily getting his feet back under the table at Middlesbrough.

It had been 16 months since the 26-year-old had found the net for the Teessiders, but a goal in each half to earn a deserved share of the spoils was well worth the wait.

The former Arsenal trainee spent last season on loan at Greek side PAOK Salonika, and would have left this summer had there been sufficient interest in a player brought to Teesside by Neil Warnock almost two years ago.

Chuba Akpom hit two equalisers to secure a point for Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United

Akpom (centre) headed in the second Boro goal to claw back a point against the Blades

Akpom had scored just five times in 39 appearances up until being restored to the side through necessity by Chris Wilder with Middlesbrough so far frustrated in their efforts to sufficiently bolster their attacking options.

Ex-Blades boss Wilder said: 'It was a difficult situation for Chuba when I came in but he's been outstanding. He could and should have possibly come off at half-time but he wanted to carry on and he had to be dragged off the pitch. That's the kind of attitude I want to see.

'I think he's had about 300 league clubs so let him stay at this one for a while.

His goals were great and his all round game was excellent. I didn't see him for the whole of half-time because he was being patched up in the dressing room.

'For us to get off the canvas twice is a good achievement. If there's been a better game in the Championship this season I'd like to see it because It was a good game against an outstanding side who have a little bit of everything. They were well coached before and they're well coached now.'

With his previous Boro goal having arrived against Rotherham in April last year, perhaps it's something about facing sides from South Yorkshire which agrees with Akpom, who has added a much-needed physical presence to the Teessiders' forward line since being restored to the starting line-up.

The first of his two equalisers arrived in the 14ht minute as he was left with the far from onerous task of passing an Isaiah Jones centre into an empty net at the end of a silky-smooth five-man move down the hosts' right.

Sander Berge opened the scoring for Sheffield United after just three minutes

Akpom's second arrived with eight minutes remaining, as he was afforded the freedom of the visitors' penalty area to head in from a dozen yards after Darragh Lenihan knocked down a centre from Ryan Giles.

Duncan Watmore should have won it, but the Boro forward stabbed a close range shot against goalkeeper Wes Foderinghan's near post from an inviting Giles centre.

Giles had inadvertently restored the Blades' lead midway through the second-half as the hapless defender thrashed a low Iliman Ndiaye centre into his own net after the excellent Oliver Norwood found the hosts sleeping at a routine throw-in level with their 18-yard box.

Boro had been playing catch-up from the third minute when Sander Berge accepted Norwood's short pass on the edge of the area to beat Zack Steffen with a shot onto the turn into the bottom corner which the on loan Manchester City goalkeeper should have probably saved.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom was cautioned for dissent by referee Andre Marinner

Either side of half-time, an assistant's flag ruled out John Egan's header from another pinpoint Norwood free-kick, substitute Rhian Brewster had an effort from a narrow angle stopped on the line by Marc Bola and a fine downward header brilliantly saved by Steffen as the visitors carved out the clearer chances.

Paul Heckingbottom admitted both sides could mount an justifiable argument to say they should have emerged with all three points and the Blades boss said: 'We showed intent and stood up to a boisterous crowd and a good team. Myself and Chris will sit here and both say we should have won it but give Boro credit for coming back at us

'It's early days but there are some good overall signs and we're showing a nice identity about our play.'