New Owls manager Dave Challinor watched from the stands as 10-man Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 against Blackpool.
Former Stockport County boss Challinor will be officially announced on Monday but a club statement released before the game confirmed they had reached an agreement with him and he took up his place in the directors’ box in the South Stand just before kick-off.
The Owls, led by interim boss Matt Hamshaw, went in front on 25 minutes when Davis Keillor-Dunn intercepted a loose pass from Leighton Clarkson and he drove towards goal before firing neatly into the bottom corner from distance.
Wednesday largely dominated the first-half but they were reduced to 10-men before the break when referee Simon Mather sent off Sil Swinkels after he was judged to be the last man when he hauled down physical forward Tom Bloxham. And that decision changed the game.
With a man advantage, Blackpool piled on the pressure early on, Hayden Coulson missing a sitter 10 minutes into the second-half. But Wednesday held firm and Keillor-Dunn came close to adding what would have been a stunning second goal for Wednesday but former Owl Bailey Peacock-Farrell did well to parry it away.
Wednesday had limited Blackpool to few chances but the Tangerines equalised when ex-Owl Jerry Yates prodded softly beneath Ashley Maynard-Brewer with nine minutes remaining.
Both sides almost won it late on with incredible strikes from distance, Mason Burstow for the hosts, Olly Casey for the visitors, but the points were shared in what was a feisty clash.
Here are our player ratings from the game...
1. Ashley Maynard-Brewer 5
Started with a couple of shaky kicks but ended the first-half with some good actions to keep Wednesday in front at the break. Will be disappointed to have let Yates' finish sneak under him. | ugc
2. Liam Palmer 6
Started on the right of a back three. Made a couple of key interceptions defending the back post. Switched to left-back as the Owls went to a back four after the red card and he did a job for the team. | ugc
3. Ernie Weaver 7
Got Swinkels out of jail with a good sliding block to deny Taylor who was hurtling towards goal. Put his body on the line to make some big blocks, including to deny what looked like a certain goal with 15 minutes remaining. | ugc
4. Sil Swinkels 5
Back in the starting line-up for the first time in the league since August. Settled in okay but was given his marching orders when he was judged to have been the last man when he hauled down Bloxham. Will be suspended now. | ugc