Even stevens with Beni and Bradford

The Owls held title contenders Bradford City to a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough in their first Yorkshire derby of the season, but the media focus was on the return to Hillsborough for the first time since his controversial departure of Italian Benito Carbone. The former Inter Milan forward left Wednesday shortly after the beginning of the 1999/00 season after things became pretty sour, much in the way that his compatriot Paolo Di Canio left the club.

Peter Shreeves warned before the game Carbone would prove to be a menace, and that he was. The little Italian maestro showed us exactly what we're missing, and he was determined to prove a point on the night.

Shreeves went with an unchanged side from the one that took the field at Selhurst Park last weekend, although an early set back for striker Efan Ekoku opened the door for the other Italian Michele Di Piedi. Bradford dominated the first half and enjoyed more openings in front of goal. The Owls really looked like a side at the lower end of the table, and low on confidence.

City's Robert Molenaar and Wednesday's Tommy Johnson were both unable to steer headers on target early on, whilst in the 15th minute Carbone was already posing a threat in the Owls penalty box as Kevin Pressman was forced into a save. Midway through the first half Pressman was called upon again, and again it was Carbone. His 25 yarder was kept out by a goalkeeper who doesn't look like giving his spot in the team away to anyone by the showing of recent performances.

Just moments later Carbone turned creator as his cross was met by striker Andy Tod. Pressman, yet again, denied the North Yorkshire team of an opening goal with a brilliant double save. Right on the stroke of half-time Wednesday would have been wondering how on earth they managed to go into the changing rooms with level scores.

Eoin Jess was left with head in hands after his shot had finally beaten the impressive Pressman, but was thwarted by the crossbar.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 Bradford

Peter Shreeves would have surely been annoyed with the first half effort of most of his players. It was certainly an uninspirational 45 minutes by the home side. But yet it took just under 90 seconds for Carbone and Bradford to make the breakthrough.

Carbone seemed to have given possession away when his ball down the line was picked up by Carlton Palmer, but instead of playing for safety the lanky midfielder found himself quickly disposessed by Gareth Whalley and Andy Tod was able to run into the Wednesday penalty box. The Owls backline were out of sorts as Tod picked out an unmarked Carbone who steered the ball into the top corner past Pressman from close range. It was a sweet moment for the Italian who silenced the 18,000 Hillsborough crowd, most of whom showed their displeasure with Beni's every touch of the ball.

It seemed that maybe the floodgates would open for Bradford, as minutes late Gareth Whalley's left foot volley was well saved by Pressman. But with just a little over half an hour to go Wednesday would score a suprise equaliser.

Tommy Johnson's fought hard in the air to try and create something on the edge of the Bradford box, as the former Celtic man found himself clattered to the ground. But Robert Molenaar's defensive header went all wrong as Di Piedi managed to pounce on the strayward header and poke the ball past City keeper Gary Walsh. It was Di Piedi's second goal in a week, and more importantly a second crucial goal just as the team needed it, as the young Italian presses to make a first team start.

In the 67th minute it was Walsh who was having to pull of goal saving heroics as Di Piedi came close to a second goal in under ten minutes, but his shot was blocked. Alan Quinn got in on the act with a power 20 yard effort that was slightly off target, whilst Argentinian Pablo Bonvin also came close to a second in seven days but his shot in the 86th minute was held well by Walsh.

Wednesday had visibly improved all around the field since Di Piedi's equaliser, and the home team pushed to sneak a late winner. But instead it was Carbone who so nearly scored a dramatical late winner at the other end. The ex-Napoli man's wickedly curling free-kick fell into the safe hands of Kevin Pressman.

The Owls had held on for a draw that, reflecting on the match on a whole, they didn't deserve. But on several occasions this season Wednesday have played well, created chances and not won games. So this time it was simply a reverse of events.

Owls boss Peter Shreeves admitted his side weren't the better the team on the night, but had still shown determination and a bit of ticket to salvage a previous point. He also picked out Pressman in particular for yet another out standing effort by the veteran. "If we were scoring the players for their performance I think Pressman would get 10. I thought his exhibition - particularly in the first half when we were on the back foot for quite a period of time - was absolutely outstanding."

"I am delighted to get a point out of this game having seen the way they played, especially in the first period because you could tell they have only just come down from the Premiership."