BOB's the word for striker-less Owls

Burton O'Brien set one up and scored the other as Paul Sturrock's injury cursed Owls side came from behind to win 2-1 at Plymouth. It was a sweet return for Sturrock who took Plymouth to where they are today from the lower divisions, in a performance that left him beaming.

With no Steven MacLean it meant Sturrock had no fit strikers to choose from and so started with Chris Brunt and Wade Small upfront. But the injury jynx reared it's ugly head yet again after just 11 minutes when Small, a summer signing from MK Dons, pulled up with a hamstring strain. The early change saw youngster Sean McAllister come on with Kenny Lunt now joining Brunt in the final third of the field.

Wednesday's best chance of the first half had actually fallen to Small but in trying to switch the ball to his left-foot he not only fired wide but sustained the injury that would end his first start for Wednesday so early on.

Just as it seemed the Owls would hold a frustrated Plymouth goal less to the break the home side won a penalty. On loan shot stopper Brad Jones brought down striker Barry Hayles inside the box. The Middlesbrough boy lucky to get away with just a yellow card. Jones guessed the right way but Wotton's powerful strike gave Argyle the lead.

It was a depressing situation for Wednesday. A goal behind with no strikers at their disposal and a first half performance that left everybody wondering where an equaliser might come from.

It came from probably the most unlikely source in 19 year old McAllister. O'Brien's deep cross from the left picked out the young midfielder who slammed the ball into the back of the net on the half volley to send the usual strong following of Owls supporters wild. It was McAllister's first goal in senior football and one that gave the Owls genuine belief they could go on and snatch the game.

Shortly after the hour mark Chris Brunt had his head in his hands went his lob over McCormick but came back off the crossbar. It was the second successive game the Owls winger has hit the woodwork.

Kenny Lunt's superb through ball on 83 minutes provided O'Brien with a chance to steal the win, and the Scot didn't disapoint. The midfielder finished well with a left foot drive to put the Owls ahead. It was backs to the wall stuff for the remainder of the match as Ian Holloway's men pressed for an equaliser. Jones made up for his earlier error with a number of good saves, including a fantastic stop from substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's header that seemed destined for the goal.

Sturrock threw on youngsters Rory McArdle and Luke Boden late on to slow the clock down but much to his amazement referee Melin allowed seven minutes of injury time despite only three being shown by the fourth official. The Owls held on to claim their first win of the season and now have a respectable five points from four games.

Sturrock verdict: "We had a game plan, we stuck to it and we've come out the right end of it. I did a personnel switch at half-time and put Kenny Lunt behind Chris Brunt and he started running the show." "We've also hit the woodwork twice in the second half and I am proud of the players. We rode our luck at the end, but we defended very well."