Rangers frustrate Owls

The Owls threw away a great opportunity to extend their buffer over the chasing pack at the foot of the Championship table after visitors Queens Park Rangers held Paul Sturrock's side to a 1-1 draw. Wednesday remain only two points ahead of Millwall who are third from bottom after the Lions snatched a late draw at Ipswich Town.

Sturrock gave debuts to new loan signings Scott Carson (Liverpool) and Mikkel Bischoff (Manchester City) into the Owls backline in a new look 3-4-1-2 formation with Bischoff, Coughlan and Bullen at the back and Chris Brunt playing a more attacking midfield role just behind Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton.

Carson, an England Under 21 international, was called into duty immediately when he did well to cling onto a long range effort from Gareth Ainsworth. A quick counter attack saw Deon Burton's goal bound header tipped wide from veteran Rangers keeper Paul Jones, after a pin point cross from Burton O'Brien on the left.

The opening goal came six minutes later in the 13th minute but this time Jones couldn't prevent Burton from finally scoring his first goal for the Owls in this his ninth appearance. Glenn Whelan's ball into the box drew Jones from his line and the faintest of touches from Burton steered the ball over the line.

The Owls pressed for an important two goal lead but a mixture of wasted chances, some fine goalkeeping from Jones and a number of questionable decisions from the match officials were causing increased frustration for the home side. Indeed that frustration was capped off when two minutes before the break Marc Bircham flicked Lee Cook's cross past Carson. The decision to award the free-kick by Wednesday's corner flag had angered the home crowd, that anger was amplified with Rangers drawing level.

Half-time: Owls 1-1 QPR

To their credit Wednesday started the second half with the right attitude and only four minutes into it forced Jones into a fine double save before clipped the ball against the bar. Burton O'Brien did well to beat his man on the wing and slide a dangerous ball into the six yard box where Tudgay's close range effort was palmed away by Jones who also managed to block his rebound shot. From only four yards out Yoann Folly should have probably hit the target but with three Rangers men desperately trying to guard the net the Southampton loanee went to for the roof of the net but only managed to find the crossbar.

Sturrock threw on two fresh strikers in Steven MacLean and Leon Best during the final quarter of the game but neither could find the winner for the Owls who would be forced to settle for a point from this one. It could be a result that later rears it's head with the Owls due to play two Play-off contenders in Preston (h) and Wolves (a) coming up.

Paul Sturrock post match comments:
"I couldn't ask anything more for my team. I called upon them to give me everything they have got and they have given me that but we are sitting here with one point and I'm exasperated. The shape of the team looked good and we worked really hard so we have to take something from that."

" We are obviously a bit down because of the opportunities we made throughout. It wasn't as though they were criminal misses it was because of unbelievable saves - people were hitting the target. I had mentioned it before the game 'Don't give away anything because they are a big side' and then there is a stupid foul with their player going nowhere. Then one of my players defends on the wrong side of their man and the next thing it is in the back of the net. In this league you just don't get away with mistakes like that."

Gardy Waddock (QPR caretaker manager) post match comments:
""It was a great result and a great point for us especially because of how Wednesday went about their business. They are fighting for their lives and for us to come here and gain a point is brilliant. When you come to places like this you can't always be pretty. You have got to be able to grow up and work and we showed that. Paul Jones was excellent he made a number of outstanding saves but also the lads in front of him defended really well and we showed a lot of character."

Deon Burton post match comments:
"I saw the ball was going to go over the defender's head so I had a little gamble and luckily he didn't head it out. The boys are a little bit disappointed. We should definitely have had the three points. The boys worked hard, carrying on from last week, but unfortunately only got a point. The team did well, it's been coming and everyone played their part."