FA Cup: Sheffield United 1-1 Hull

Most aspiring footballers making their way in the game dream of being Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard or Lionel Messi.

But judging by his antics when he scored, Greg Halford would rather be Simon Cowell.

After heading Sheffield United in front, Halford pulled up his jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing the name of his record company RandR World.

Music and football are his two loves and when he isn't playing up front, centre-half, right-back or any other position Kevin Blackwell can slot him into, he devotes his time to the label he part-owns.

"I was just trying to advertise the record company," he said as he explained a stunt which would have made even publicity-junkie Richard Branson blush.

"This was only the second time I'd worn the T-shirt but I put it on because I was confident I would score when the manager told me I was playing up front.

"It's a proper record label looking for unsigned acts and new talent. We have two bands ready to release in the next month or so - a boy-band called Vice and a band called Oswald.

"I just thought the T-shirt was a good way of getting the record company some publicity."

United manager Blackwell isn't sure about his sideline as a pop svengali. "I've never heard any of these bands from his record label so maybe that tells you how good they are."

Music mogul Halford, 24, was hardly top of the pops at Sunderland, where he admits he didn't get on with Roy Keane, but he's on song now.

Blackwell claims he has rediscovered the X factor because he's hammered home to him the need to add graft to his craft.

"He's got all the ability, he's just got to keep working at it," said Blackwell.

"The good man upstairs gives everyone a package but he always misses something out and says that's what you've got to work on.

"I think Greg realises he has to work harder on his game.

"Sometimes he can frustrate you and sometimes he needs a kick up the backside.

He knows he's better than other people and it's about trying to get that arrogance into his play the right way.

"Having had two big-money moves in the Premiership, I was surprised by how subdued he was when he first came here. But now we can't keep him quiet."

Halford was unfazed about starting in attack before switching to centre-half when skipper Chris Morgan came off with suspected knee ligament damage. " I was looking forward to it because I love new challenges," he said.

"I got my England Under-20 caps as a striker and, while managers primarily see me as a right-back, I've always fancied myself as a central midfielder."

The 6ft 4in star gave United the presence up top they need with their direct style and he bagged his third Cup goal in three games when he headed home David Cotterill's excellent cross after seven minutes.

Hereverted to defence when Morgan went off but was powerless when Kamil Zayatte, operating in central midfield instead of his usual centre-half position, out jumped Sun Jihai to head home Andy Dawson's free-kick on 34 minutes and force a replay on Thursday week.

It could be some time, though, before the winners of the replay find out the identity of their quarter-final opponents.

Yesterday's draw for the last eight pitted Blades or Hull with Arsenal, Cardiff or Burnley. Arsenal seem to meet the Blades in cup competition on an annual basis with the north London side demolishing their opponents 6-0 in the Carling Cup earlier this season.

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