Match Review: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Boro 1

Boro were unable to turn our second-half dominance into a deserved three points as Sheffield Wednesday held on for a point at Hillsborough.

Darragh Lenihan’s vicious volley handed the Teessiders a first away league point of the season after Anthony Musaba had hit the hosts in-front.

With a chill in the air in South Yorkshire, Michael Carrick made four alterations for the first midweek Championship match-up of the season, Lukas Engel, Riley McGree, Sammy Silvera and Josh Coburn coming into the starting line-up.

It was the home side who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the game’s early stages, Pol Valentin’s pot-shot finding the feet of ex-Boro man Ashley Fletcher, who failed to steer the ball towards goal.

There was a break in play a quarter of an hour into proceedings. A section of home supporters opted to throw tennis balls onto the pitch, but it was Boro who almost served up an ace when Josh Coburn’s low cross found Sammy Silvera in the six-yard box, Wednesday somehow scrambling the ball clear.

A late tackle on Hayden Hackney saw Josh Windass enter referee David Webb’s notebook. The forward was unable to continue as a result of the challenge with Anthony Musaba on as his replacement.

Despite the interruption, Carrick’s men were continuing to get joy down the left side and another low ball from Coburn was only missing the final touch before a late flag from the linesman.

Yet when Boro were on top it was Wednesday who took the lead, substitute Musaba firing low into the net underneath Seny Dieng.

Having broken the deadlock Wednesday went in search of a second, Dieng pulling off a smart save to deny Fletcher.

In the final knockings of the opening period, Sammy Silvera’s inviting delivery gave Boro cause for an equaliser, but the ball fell agonisingly ahead of the onrushing Coburn and McGree.

Carrick looked to the bench during the half-time break as Lukas Engel made way for Isaiah Jones and the wingman’s dynamism opened up the pitch for Silvera to get a shot away inside 60 seconds of the restart.

The Australian was again involved as Boro hunted to get back on level terms, Devis Vasquez rushing off his line and clinching the ball as Silvera looked for the lob.

Though Boro’s ever-present pressure would soon reap its rewards, Darragh Lenihan firing home a Lewis O'Brien corner via the underside of the crossbar.

It was a heart-in-the-mouth moment for the travelling Boro contingent as they waited for confirmation the ball had crossed the line, which came shortly after a quick check of the watch from Webb.

Having been pegged back Wednesday were under constant bombardment from the away side. Rav van den Berg saw an effort deflect into the side-netting, Matt Crooks had a header disallowed for offside and Coburn sat down his marker before rifling inches wide.

Restricting Wednesday to virtually nothing in terms of goalmouth action, the home side were hanging on for a point as Boro continued to wrestle possession back.

After controlling the play for the entirety of the second half, the Teessiders almost suffered a sucker punch in the final minute of normal time, George Byers curling wide of Seny Dieng’s right-hand post.

With five minutes of additional time allocated, Sam Greenwood stood over a free-kick 25 yards out, the substitute sending his effort over the bar before the final whistle sounded.