Sheffield Wednesday: Owls Under-23s 1 QPR Under-23s 0

Promising youngster George Hirst maintained his rich goalscoring form as Sheffield Wednesday's development squad claimed a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers today.

The England Under-18 international calmly sidefooted in his fourth goal in two matches after being fed by winger Michael Donohue in the third minute.The visitors pushed for an instant response and Dan Wallis produced a fine block with his legs at the near post to keep out Josh Bowler's low drive.But Wednesday came close to doubling their advantage in the 11th minute after a good driving run by Jack Stobbs on the right flank, with the winger's dangerous cross narrowly evading Hirst, who grabbed a hat-trick against Hull City on Monday, in the centre.

QPR's athletic, mobile forward line kept the Owls on their toes and it took an inch perfect sliding challenge by Connor O'Grady to stop Reece Grego-Cox having a sight at goal.Hirst spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to grab his second of the afternoon before the interval, heading Donohue's leach of a delivery straight at Seny Dieng.Two minutes after the restart, Hirst blazed over when well-placed after superb play by Ash Baker.Hirst continued to lead the line with maturity and intelligence and was brilliantly foiled by Seny Dieng, who tipped his fierce shot on to the left hand post, after he raced on to Stobbs' pass.But QPR dominated the second half for long periods and Reece Grego-Cox's was a constant menace. His free-kick from just outside the penalty area was deflected behind before Wallis pulled of an excellent save diving to his left to deny the forward.

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The London club piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Grego-Cox dragged wide from long range before Wallis made a smart reflex stop to keep Danny Rowe's header out.At the other end, Hirst fluffed his lines from close range following good build up play by substitute Fraser Preston.And right at the death, O'Grady cleared Rowe's strike off the line as Wednesday held on to record back-to-back wins.

Wednesday: Wallis; Baker, O'Grady, Thorniley, Emanuelson; Murphy (Betra 69); Stobbs, Kirby, Clarke (Percival HT), Donohue (Preston 60); Hirst. Substitutes: Braziskas, Hayford.