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WANDERERS snatched an important point in their survival battle at Sheffield Wednesday thanks to Aaron Wilbraham’s late header.
But how did the players rate at Hillsborough? Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his view.
WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
BEN ALNWICK…7 One important save from Nuhiu in the first half and some confident claims on crosses as Wednesday looked to harness their target man’s aerial ability.
JON FLANAGAN…7.5 Used the ball well, rarely conceding possession. The Liverpool loanee is starting to look like a top flight player again.
REECE BURKE…8 Stood tall against Wednesday’s giant Nuhiu. Won more headers than any other Wanderers player and justified keeping his place after Tuesday night’s draw at Reading.
MARK BEEVERS…7.5 Dug in when he needed to, protecting the penalty area, and didn’t waste the ball either. Two big performances back-to-back now for the centre-half.
ANDREW TAYLOR…7 Got through a lot of defensive work, gradually winning the battle on Wednesday’s dangerous right side.
DERIK OSEDE…7.5 Somewhat of a surprise selection to replace Kirchhoff but fully warranted as the Spaniard kept things ticking over with an 81 per cent pass success rate.
KARL HENRY…7 Worked well with Derik to provide a screen for the back four. Knocked any semblance of rhythm from the Wednesday midfield.
WILL BUCKLEY…5 Disappointing day for the winger, who wasted a couple of decent chances and didn’t use the ball as well as he normally does.
DARREN PRATLEY…7 Not quite as influential as he’d been at Reading but still covered a lot of ground for the cause. Set the tone for Wanderers’ midfield work-rate.
SAMMY AMEOBI…7 One delicious cross for Buckley and another clever ball for Le Fondre. Looked capable of springing the lock at any point – but didn’t quite manage it.
ADAM LE FONDRE…6.5 Worked very hard to hassle the Wednesday back line but not much dropped for him around the penalty box.
Subs: Morais 7, 60 (for Buckley) – Helped change the game late on.
Clough 84 (for Derik) – Didn’t manage to make an impact.
Wilbraham 84 (for Flanagan) – Five touches, one of them was a doozy.
Not used: Howard, Dervite, Karacan, Robinson.
Sheffield Wednesday (3-5-2): Wildsmith 8; Venancio 6, Lees 7, Pudil 7; Hunt 7, Pelupessy 6, Clare 6, Reach 6, Boyd 7; Joao 6, Nuhiu 6.
Subs: Rhodes 77 (for Nuhiu), Fox 86 (for Boyd), Jones 90+2 (for Pelupessy)
Not used: Dawson, Palmer, Loovens, Butterfield.
Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire) 5 – Rhodes was offside, simple as.
Attendance: 26,809
Atmosphere: 7 – Wanderers’ 2,000 fans were in terrific voice, even 10 minutes after the final whistle.
Entertainment: 7 – Scrappy but compulsive viewing.
But how did the players rate at Hillsborough? Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his view.
WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
BEN ALNWICK…7 One important save from Nuhiu in the first half and some confident claims on crosses as Wednesday looked to harness their target man’s aerial ability.
JON FLANAGAN…7.5 Used the ball well, rarely conceding possession. The Liverpool loanee is starting to look like a top flight player again.
REECE BURKE…8 Stood tall against Wednesday’s giant Nuhiu. Won more headers than any other Wanderers player and justified keeping his place after Tuesday night’s draw at Reading.
MARK BEEVERS…7.5 Dug in when he needed to, protecting the penalty area, and didn’t waste the ball either. Two big performances back-to-back now for the centre-half.
ANDREW TAYLOR…7 Got through a lot of defensive work, gradually winning the battle on Wednesday’s dangerous right side.
DERIK OSEDE…7.5 Somewhat of a surprise selection to replace Kirchhoff but fully warranted as the Spaniard kept things ticking over with an 81 per cent pass success rate.
KARL HENRY…7 Worked well with Derik to provide a screen for the back four. Knocked any semblance of rhythm from the Wednesday midfield.
WILL BUCKLEY…5 Disappointing day for the winger, who wasted a couple of decent chances and didn’t use the ball as well as he normally does.
DARREN PRATLEY…7 Not quite as influential as he’d been at Reading but still covered a lot of ground for the cause. Set the tone for Wanderers’ midfield work-rate.
SAMMY AMEOBI…7 One delicious cross for Buckley and another clever ball for Le Fondre. Looked capable of springing the lock at any point – but didn’t quite manage it.
ADAM LE FONDRE…6.5 Worked very hard to hassle the Wednesday back line but not much dropped for him around the penalty box.
Subs: Morais 7, 60 (for Buckley) – Helped change the game late on.
Clough 84 (for Derik) – Didn’t manage to make an impact.
Wilbraham 84 (for Flanagan) – Five touches, one of them was a doozy.
Not used: Howard, Dervite, Karacan, Robinson.
Sheffield Wednesday (3-5-2): Wildsmith 8; Venancio 6, Lees 7, Pudil 7; Hunt 7, Pelupessy 6, Clare 6, Reach 6, Boyd 7; Joao 6, Nuhiu 6.
Subs: Rhodes 77 (for Nuhiu), Fox 86 (for Boyd), Jones 90+2 (for Pelupessy)
Not used: Dawson, Palmer, Loovens, Butterfield.
Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire) 5 – Rhodes was offside, simple as.
Attendance: 26,809
Atmosphere: 7 – Wanderers’ 2,000 fans were in terrific voice, even 10 minutes after the final whistle.
Entertainment: 7 – Scrappy but compulsive viewing.