Owls finish level at Loftus

The Owls played out one of the most entertaining 0-0 draws you're likely to see at Loftus Road as both sides hit the woodwork twice but ultimately Wednesday had their keeper Lee Grant to thank for taking a point from the match. There appeared to be no reaction on the field to the antics off it with Wednesday Chairman and Director Dave Allen resigning the day before the game.

The Wednesday shot stopper was in fine form pulling off two or three top class saves to deny the home side. Grant is a summer signing for Wednesday from Derby County where ironically he played second fiddle to Ranger's keeper Lee Camp, also signed from Derby, in the other goal.

While QPR enjoyed the better share of the spoils in the final quarter of the match it was Wednesday who raced out of the traps. Yoann Folly, in the side for the injured Glenn Whelan, floated in a corner for Akpo Sodje to power a header back off the crossbar. Tudgay had a shot deflected wide and Sodje caused more problems for the Rangers backline as The Owls took control in the early exchanges.

From nowhere the home side sprung to life and Scott Sinclair raced onto a Rowan Vine pass only to be denied one on one by Grant. Minutes later the ball was in the back of the net for the only time of the 90 minutes, but Wednesday were saved by the linesman's flag for offside against Vine.

Rangers continued to dominate after Wednesday's promising start as Frank Simek struggled to control the pacey Scott Sinclair on the left wing. The on loan Chelsea man turned the American international inside out before driving the ball past Grant and back off the post. The Owls were saved again by the framework of the goal as Leigertwood headed onto the crossbar.

Vine, a constant menace in midfield, tested Grant again early on in the second half but this enthralling game took another turn as Wednesday came closest to scoring through Burton O'Brien. The Scottish midfielder cut inside and whipped an inswinging effort from the right that had Camp beaten but not the bar, and so for the fourth time in the match the woodwork came to the saviour of the defence.

Grant saved at close range from the dangerous Sinclair but the save of the match came with quarter of an hour to go as the Owls shot stopper pulled off a miraculous save at full stretch to deny Sinclair once again.

By this stage the Wednesday backline was sitting deep and gaps had appeared in the midfield. They held on for a point in the end but had their goalkeeper to thank for it.

Ratings v QPR: Grant 9 Although saved by the woodwork twice Grant was in outstanding form pulling off two or three top draw saves to deny Rangers. Simek 5 Way below par for the usually reliable Simek. Scott Sinclair gave him a torrid afternoon and the American looked void of confidence as the game went on. M.Johnson 8 Evident how important Johnson is to the back four. Lead by example with a series of important headers, tackles and interceptions. Hardly put a foot wrong all game. Hinds 7 Strong and reliable and went close with a header when pushed forward for a corner. Spurr 7 As ever the young lad gives it his all and made some important tackles. Got forward well and had the confidence to try and take players on. Needs the experience of the likes of Johnson to help maintain his position at times with the home side attacking in numbers down the flanks. J.Johnson 7 Dangerous with the ball at feet and was a real menace to the QPR backline in the first half with a series of strong, pacey runs down the right. Faded in the second half and eventually subbed. Watson 8 Worked hard all afternoon but couldn't run the show by himself and as such the home side controlled the game in the second half. Folly 6 It was a big chance to stake a place in the side in the absence of Whelan but really never got into the game. There were huge gaps in the Wednesday midfield O'Brien 7 Had a decent game and probably came the closest to scoring with a wonderful curling left foot shot from a tight angle outside the box. Wednesday were more of a threat down the left in general. Tudgay 7 Worked hard and fought for possession up front, generally looked a lively threat. Blew a wonderful chance to score in the second half but fired into the side netting from just outside the six yard box. Sodje 7 Rattled the bar early on with a powerful header and had a strong game, but tired in the second half. Burton 6 Didn't have much to do with Wednesday going on the back foot for the final quarter of the game. Small 6 Same as above. The Gaffer 8 Will have been happy to take a point from this one but perhaps allowed his backline to sit too deep during the second half and invited too much pressure towards the end. Gave the fans a wave in the first half. The Support 9 Fully alotment of Owls fans in the away section and made plenty of noise as always. Some borderline racist chanting was not called for. The Officials 8 Overall pretty good. The referee on the side of the dugouts in the second half made a few dodgy calls but they did pick an offside for a QPR strike in the first half. Overall: One of the most entertaining 0-0 draws you're likely to see. Either side could've won it but a point a piece was a fair result. The Owls had enjoyed the lions share of possession and chances in the opening period, and likewise Rangers in the latter. Lee Grant pulled off two or three blinding saves and was clearly the Man of the Match.

Laws verdict: "It was a magnificent performance from Lee." "In fact both goalkeepers did well. Lee has given some encouragement to everyone by showing just what a good goalkeeper he can be." "We're happy with a point because QPR are on the up, it's a difficult place, a tight ground and a small pitch. They'll be nowhere near the bottom at the end of the season."