Coughlan claims six-pointer for Owls

The Owls claimed a priceless victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City on the weekend thanks to goals from Chris Brunt and Graham Coughlan, who started the day as the club's top scorers. A fightback was needed though after the visiting Foxes side took a 7th minute lead through an acrobatic effort by Richard Stearman.

The home faithful would be forgiven for thinking the worst at this stage with Leicester's confidence high before this one after a shock FA Cup victory over Premier League Tottenham last weekend. Paul Sturrock's side were on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline and conceding what was a fifth goal in two games on home soil so early was far from the desired start.

But Wednesday were back on level pegging on the half hour mark as influential winger Chris Brunt turned it on for the 25,000 strong crowd. The Northern Ireland international played a neat one-two with Glenn Whelan before unleashing an unstoppable left foot drive into the top corner of the net. Not the first time, and probably not the last, spectacular goal we've seen from Brunt this season.

The one goal defecit became a one goal lead five minutes before the break. John Hills pumped the ball high into the Leicester penalty box from a central position and newly appointed skipper Graham Coughlan towered above his man and steered his header into the corner of the net. It was Coughlan's fifth goal of the season - a goal tally reflective of the Nigel Pearson days.

Half-time: Owls 2-1 Leicester

Leicester started the second half strongly and put pressure immediately on the Owls back four who, much to their credit, looked solid. The overall performance from the Foxes in the second period was a lot like that seen of Wednesday earlier in the season, with tonnes of possession and opportunities to boot but a lack of quality and killer instict when close to goal.

The Owls have looked a different side since the New Year period and in holding on to this win, thanks largely to a fine save late on from Nicky Weaver, it means Sturrock's side have won three on the trot in the league and are now four points clear of the relegation zone. Certainly no time to celebrate yet with plenty of points still to be earnt if Wednesday are to avoid the drop this season.

But the signings of Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton have injected new life into Wednesday's previously weak attack, the back four of Simek, Coughlan, Wood and Gilbert are beginning to play as a unit and competition for places is strengthening with the return to training of Steven MacLean and Drew Talbot.

Sturrock has hinted two further signings could be on the cards before transfer deadline day at the end of the month. The Owls said goodbye this week to two faces in Graeme Lee and Danny Reet. Whilst Reet, still only 18 years of age, did not quite make the senior grade at Hillsborough centre-back Lee certainly did, making 75 appearances in total for the club, scoring seven times, since signing from Hartlepool in July 2003. AnzOwls wishes both players the best of luck for the future.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"The players did well to come back so strongly after going behind so early. The rollercoaster keeps going. I was a bit disappointed we just sat back on what we had during the second half. But it was a big one to come back after conceding four goals against Charlton last week."

Craig Levein (Leicester manager)'s post match comments:
"I can understand the fans' frustrations and that's part and parcel of the game. Maybe it is a reality check. It was the players who played against Spurs and there is inconsistency. They probably don't see themselves as relegation candidates and that doesn't help us."