Good afternoon, it's just under an hour until kickoff at Bramall Lane, where a place in the FA Cup quarter-final is up for grabs.

Both sides should be naming their teams in the next half hour, we'll bring you details of the lineups as soon as it's available, as well as the quarter-final opponent for today's winner as soon as the last eight draw takes place.

In fact, the visitors have just announced their team...

FOREST STARTING XI: De Vries, Halford, Collins, Lascelles, Fox, Jara, Paterson, Majewski, Reid, Henderson, Cox

FOREST SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Harding, Mackie, Greening, Abdoun, Derbyshire, Djebbour

It's a pretty strong lineup for the visitors, with third round hat-trick hero Jamie Paterson included alongside the likes of Andy Reid and Simon Cox. Karl Darlow drops to the bench, but De Vries has been the club's keeper throughout their cup run.

The home side's cup run has been a welcome distraction to their league form. The Blades sit in League One's relegation zone, two points from safety, although they do have up to four games in hand over some of the teams around them.

SHEFF UTD STARTING XI: Howard, Harris, Brayford, Maguire, Flynn, Doyle, Baxter, Collins, Coady, Scougall, Murphy

SHEFF UTD SUBSTITUTES: Hill, Porter, Miller, McGinn, Long, Kennedy, De Girolamo

Top scorer Barry Maguire leads the way for the hosts, although Chris Porter, who has also been in strong form this season, starts on the bench.

Let's remind ourselves how both teams reached this stage of the competition. Sheffield United entered in the first round proper, beating Colchester United 3-2, before easing past Cambridge United in round two. Nigel Clough's side overcame Aston Villa at Villa Park in the third round, before between Fulham in a replay at Craven Cottage last time out. Meanwhile, Forest have been giant killers themselves this season, thrashing West Ham 5-0 in round three, although they needed a replay against Preston to make it this far.

The Blades have kept their pitch covered during this week's storms, ensuring that it is in good condition for today's match. As you can see from this picture courtesy of the team's Twitter page, it's bright sunshine at Bramall Lane, with no rain expected this afternoon.

Bramall Lane being prepared ahead of today's #FACup tie #twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/gThiXLckKd

— Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) February 16, 2014

While the home side are fighting for their place in League One at the moment, Forest have been in superb form in the Championship, currently sitting in the playoff places thanks to a 13-match unbeaten run in the league.

Among the home fans this afternoon is England cricketer Joe Root. The Sheffield-born batsman tweeted his support for his team earlier today.

Looking forward to getting to beautiful down town Bramall Lane this afternoon! Come on you red and white wizards!! #FACup #blades — Joe Root (@joeroot05) February 16, 2014

As well as this match, there's live coverage of today's other two matches in the FA Cup on Sports Mole this afternoon. The second half of Everton's game against Swansea City has just got underway, with the teams level at 1-1, while Arsenal host Liverpool later today.

This is Sheffield United's best performance in the FA Cup since the 2008-09 season, when they were knocked out at this stage by Hull City. The last time they went further was in in 2002-03, when Arsenal defeated them in the semi-finals.

Forest are also on their best run for some time, having last reached this stage 10 years ago, when defeat to Tottenham prevent them reaching the last eight.

Ahead of kickoff, United boss Nigel Clough told reporters: "We have had some good games over the years between the two clubs and there has always been that bit of spice and needle between the two with us not being far away. We are only 30-odd miles away and so, although not being a direct local derby, it has a little bit of a feeling of that."

Meanwhile, Forest manager Billy Davies said: "Every cup game is a leveller, a one-off fixture. I don't look too much into our opponents' league position. It's all about who wants it the most and who plays the best on the day. We've got to go and show that, irrespective of the conditions, we're the ones playing with very good confidence and we're the ones who will do all they can to get their name in the hat for the next round."

These two sides have played plenty of times before in this competition. In their 13 previous meetings, the Blades have claimed seven victories, while Forest of won three, while three replays have been needed.

Nigel Clough actually played in an FA Cup final during his time with Forest as a player in 1991, where they were beaten 2-1 by Spurs.

As with many matches this weekend, there will be a minute's silence ahead of kickoff in memory of Preston North End legend Sir Tom Finney, who passed away on Friday.

The players are making their way out ready for kickoff.

The home side get the game underway.

It's a confident start for the home side as they keep it in midfield before looking to press towards the Forest goal but a loose ball is easily cleared by De Vries.

Forest apply pressure up front for the first time as Reid tries to get the ball forward for Simon Cox, but the dangerous striker's first touch is lacking.

Reid wins the ball back in midfield and plays it through to Paterson, who already has a hat-trick in this tournament this season. He tries to lob it into the box for Cox, but there's just a bit too much on the box for the striker.

Forest try to catch the hosts with a quick counter attack. Majewski bursts into the box and lines up his shot, but a fantastic challenge from Conor Coady wins the ball back for United.

CHANCE! The first shot of the match falls to the home side, but it's a poor finish straight to De Vries from Brayford. It's been a very even start to this match, with both sides clearly keen to attack.

The Blades are pressing forward again, with Baxter waiting in the box, but the visitors manage to get it clear after a bit of a scramble between the defenders.

CHANCE! Forest immediately charge down the other end with Jamie Paterson looking threatening on the edge of the box, but he goes for glory, and scuffs his attempted volley well high of the crossbar.

The visitors force the first corner of the game, which Paterson delivers, but it's quickly taken by Howard in the Blades' goal. Reid tries to win it back from the keeper's clearance, but fouls Baxter in the process, giving the home side the free kick.

Forest have maybe just had the edge on the attack so far, looking slightly sharper while pressing forward, but they look a little rushed in the final third, and are yet to get a decent ball through for Cox.

PENALTY APPEAL! The visitors look to the referee as Simon Cox is left floored by a collision with Maguire right in front of goal. The Forest man may feel aggrieved as there was definitely a shove, but he had already lost the ball at that point.

UPDATE! The first of this afternoon's three FA Cup fixtures has just finished, with Everton sealing their place in the last eight with a 3-1 win over Swansea.

BOOKING! Jamal Lascelles picks up the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Howard.

CHANCE! After a strong couple of minutes of possession for the hosts, Forest manage to break, with Halford trying to curl it in from a tight angle, just missing the top corner.

The visitors win a corner, and it falls perfectly for Paterson in the centre of the box for him to head it past Howard. He's been in sublime goal-scoring form in the cup this season.

The Blades are pressing hard for a quick equaliser, and win a free kick just outside the box, Maguire curls it in, but it goes behind for a goal kick without any of his teammates getting a touch.

Forest seem a lot more relax now that they've got a goal on the board and seem much more composed passing the ball through the midfield now.

CHANCE! Baxter's pace creates a chance from nowhere for the Blades, as he sprints from midfield to the edge of the area before looking to set up Scougall, but De Vries makes a good save to deny the home side.

UPDATE! Well there's an incentive if Sheffield United needed one, if they can get back into this match, they could face Sheffield Wednesday in the quarter-finals. The winner of this match will play the winner of the Owls' game against Charlton Athletic.

With half time approaching, the game has just fallen a little flat, with Forest seemingly content just to keep the ball at the back and ensure that they are ahead at the interval.

There's a delay as Stefan Scougall appears to have picked up a knock. There wasn't any obvious contact, but he already had strapping on the ankle, so there may have already been an underlying problem.

With the action back underway, it's still Forest dictating the play. The home side have looked good when they've been able to get the ball, but they haven't had enough possession to cause the visitors any real problems.

CHANCE! Forest come within a couple of inches of doubling their advantage, as Brayford turns an Andy Reid corner just wide of his own post. There are three minutes of stoppage time being played.

BOOKING! Andy Reid is shown a yellow card for a foul on Jamie Murphy.

So at the break, it's the Championship side who have the lead thanks to a superb header from Jamie Paterson just before the half hour mark. The home side are by no means out of it yet, but they'll need to play better in the second half.

Looking at the stats, it's easy to see why Forest are ahead, they've had 65% of the possession so far. Both sides have had four shots, but only Paterson's header has been on target for the visitors, while the Blades have tested De Vries four times.

Sheffield need to find a way to stop Forest in midfield. Andy Reid and Jamie Paterson have been in complete control in the middle for the Championship side so far. Jose Baxter has shown a lot of promise playing deeper than usual for the Blades, but he needs support from his teammates.

Nigel Clough may turn to his bench fairly early on in a bid to get his team back into this tie. Stefan Scougall was struggling with injury late in the first half, so Chris Porter may find himself called into action to add to the Blades' attacking options.

The players are starting to make their way back out for the second half.

Forest get the game back underway.

Neither side have made any changes at half time. United are immediately on the attack, but Jara blocks a cross into the box.

BOOKING! Bob Harris is the first United player to be shown the yellow card for a lunging challenge on Simon Cox.

CHANCE! Brayford catches Forest out with a superb run down the right wing and tries to cross it in winning a thrown in. The defender eventually manages to deliver it to Murphy, who slightly mistimes his running, tapping it just wide.

CHANCE! The home side have started really strongly in this second half. Danny Fox gives away a free kick from a dangerous position, and Simon Cox ends up turning Murphy's delivery behind for a corner. Baxter's corner is initially cleared before Coady lashes it back in with a solid half-volley, but De Vries just manages to hold it in the Forest goal.

BOOKING! For his second dubious challenge in the space of a couple of minutes, Danny Fox ends up in the referee's book for bringing down Brayford. Forest are going to have start being careful, they've got three players on yellow cards now.

CHANCE! Forest try to end the home side's resurgent spell, with Paterson unleashing a thunderous volley from just outside the box. Howard sees it at the last moment though, and just manages to parry it away and it goes out for the corner.

Greg Halford needs a bit of attention from the Forest physio after colliding with one of teammates while going for a header. He has an ice pack pressed to his head before being helped to the sideline, but it looks like he should be ok to carry on.

Murphy wins a corner for the hosts, but De Vries manages to comfortably collect Baxter's ball into the box. Paterson and Reid team up in a quick counter-attack by the visitors, but it's comfortably saved by Howard. The game is really open at the moment with both teams realising the importance of the next goal, but they're both rushing, and it's effecting their end product.

Biggest crowd of the season inside Bramall Lane today for the #FACup fixture...25,118 #sufc #twitterblades — Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) February 16, 2014

The home fans appears for a penalty on behalf of Ryan Flynn as Fox turns his cross behind for a corner, but it looked like it may have hit the Forest man on the arm.

Conor Coady scores his third goal of the season, and what a time to find it! De Vries comes of his line to clear from a Collins effort, but he bundles it into the box of the 20-year-old, who pokes it into an open net for the equaliser. Game on

SUB! Billy Davies responds immediately with his first change of the game, sending Jamie Mackie on in place of Simon Cox.

CHANCE! Howard makes a stunning save to stop the home side falling behind again, as he tips an Andy Reid free kick behind. It was a solid effort from the Forest captain, but the Blades' keeper read it perfectly.

SUB! It's another change for the visitors, with Rafik Djebbour replacing Darius Henderson, who has been pretty quiet this afternoon.

Coady's equaliser has really lifted the crowd as they feel that their team can win it now. Baxter tries to set up a second for United, but his high ball into the box it claimed by the Forest keeper.

BOOKING! Neill Collings is booked for bringing down Mackie 20 yards out. It also gives Forest a free kick, with Reid teeing it up for Djebbour, but the substitute couldn't guide it in.

Forest look like they've run out of ideas. They're getting the ball forward well, but aren't really troubling the home side's defenders.

SUB! The visitors make their final change, bringing on Djamel Abdoun for Radoslaw Majewski.

CHANCE! United make their way down the other end of the pitch, allowing Maguire to try and squeeze it in the top corner, but De Vries gets a hand to it. It's difficult to call this match at the moment, both sides look like they might have a winner in them, but it could just as easily be heading for a replay.

CHANCE! Baxter and Maguire spot a chance for a break from midfield, but the latter pulling it back for his teammate, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area, but De Vries managed to make the save. Except for his mistake that allowed the equaliser, the Forest keeper has been brilliant this afternoon.

SUB! The home side finally make their first change, with Chris Porter replacing Baxter, who has put in a huge shift for the Blades this afternoon. The fresh legs of Porter could give the League One side on edge in the final give minutes.

PENALTY TO SHEFFIELD UNITED! Greg Halford handles in the box, and the home side will have the spot kick.

That might be Chris Porter's first touch of the game, but what an important one! It's as cool as you like from the substitute as the smashes the into the bottom left corner.

The stewards are having to work hard as the home fans are understandably rather excited. A few of them actually found their way onto the pitch to celebrate with the home side.

What a finish by the home side! I thought Porter might have an impact as a late sub but no-one could have predicted this. The ball is crossed in from outwide, and the striker just gets his toe to it to guide it in, and surely seal the home sides place in the quarter-finals.

The re-start is delayed as the home fans flood onto the pitch. Their delight is understandable given their difficulties in the league, but they need to let the players finish the match.

CHANCE! Porter has his eyes on a hat-trick as he chargers towards the Forest goal to create a solo effort, but it's palmed away by De Vries.

The fans pour onto the Bramall Lane pitch to celebrate with the players. What a remarkable comeback by the Blades to book their place in the last eight, where they could face their Steel City rivals, Sheffield Wednesday.

It will be a bitter defeat for the Championship side. They led for the majority of the match, but could not finish it off when they were in control. It's an old cliche, but at least they get back to focusing on the league.

Well that's all from this match, but stick around for live coverage of the second half of Arsenal's fifth-round match against Liverpool, as well as reaction to all of today's FA Cup ties. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.