Gary Megson voiced his disappointment at Wednesday’s FA Cup exit on Tuesday evening – then immediately turned his attention to our on-going promotion push.

After seeing the Owls never looking likely to upset a far superior Blackpool side in the cup replay at S6, Megson said: “We had a great opportunity in the first few minutes and if it had gone in I’m not saying the result would have been different, but I think our performance certainly would have been.

“They took their goals brilliantly and they looked a class act at times.”

He added: “At times when we were keeping it, we looked a little laboured, to the point where we were passing it but not really going anywhere and it was disappointing from that point of view.”

Looking forward to the on-going promotion challenge and Exeter on Saturday, Megson said: “Our priority has to be the league. While we wanted to progress in the FA Cup, we now have to put in a performance down at Exeter on Saturday.”

And Megson said that one player who will be back in the starting line-up on Saturday is Jermaine Johnson, the in-form winger having been rested on Tuesday evening.

Reda Johnson will miss the next two games in our promotion challenge after being booked in the cup defeat by Blackpool.

It takes Johnson to 10 yellow cards this season and that means a two-match ban – covering the trip to Exeter on Saturday and then the home game with Stevenage next Tuesday.

Wednesday’s FA Cup run ended when a much-changed side were outplayed and outclassed by Blackpool at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening.

The game was effectively all over inside the first 15 minutes, goals from Matt Phillips and Lomana Tresor LuaLua putting the Seasiders in total control,  after Ryan Lowe missed an early opportunity to put us ahead.

We found ourselves chasing shadows for much of the first-half and if there was any doubt about the eventual outcome of the fourth round replay, it was settled within nine minutes of the restart, Ludovic Sylvestre cracking home a third goal for the visitors.

It was a disappointing end to this year’s cup run but the only consolation is that it leaves us with a clear run at the on-going promotion bid … starting at Exeter on Saturday.

Wednesday will be without Miguel Llera, John Bostock and Mike Jones for Tuesday evening’s FA Cup fourth round replay with Blackpool at S6.

The trio are cup-tied, so Rob Jones could return in the centre of defence while Chris Lines is a possible replacement for Bostock in midfield.

Gary Megson might also decide to start with Ryan Lowe and Clinton Morrison up front, the pair both coming on as subs against Yeovil on Saturday and making a bigger impression than the starting strike pair of Gary Madine and Chris O’Grady.

The game is being televised live on ESPN.

Gary Megson reflected on Wednesday’s game of two halves after the home win over Yeovil took us up into second place.

A poor first half saw us trailing 1-0 but was followed by an improved second 45 and goals from Jermaine and Reda Johnson took us to a
2-1 victory and behind leaders Charlton in the division one table.

Megson said: “We didn’t play at the right pace or the tempo we try to achieve in the first half and it was like a wasted 45 minutes.

“We came out much better in the second period and I was pleased with the contribution of our more experienced players to help see the game out after we had gone in front.”

Referring to a double substitution soon after the interval, which saw Lewis Buxton and Ryan Lowe replacing Jon Otsemobor and Gary Madine, Megson said: “I’ve got a strong bench now and if players aren’t playing to the required levels then I can change things around.

“When you’re in the team you have got to perform, what you’ve done in the past doesn’t count.”

Loanee John Bostock made his full debut and Megson said he did what he expected – but that he’s got to work harder.

* Nicky Weaver was out of the squad after suffering a back injury. He has had a scan and needs 48 hours rest.

Second-half goals from Jermaine and Reda Johnson took Wednesday up into second place at home to Yeovil on Saturday.

We fell behind just before half-time in a lacklustre first 45 from the Owls but another cracker from Jermaine Johnson and a winner from Reda Johnson sealed another vital three points in an improved second half display.

Victory takes us into second, two points clear of Huddersfield who drew 1-1 at home to MK Dons, and four points ahead of Sheff U who have two games in hand. Leaders Charlton are seven points clear having played one game less.

Snowing at Hillsborough … line-up v Yeovil … Bywater; Otsemobor, Batth, Llera, R Johnson; J. Johnson, Prutton, Semedo, Bostock; Madine, O’Grady. Subs. O’Donnell, Buxton, Lines, Lowe, Morrison

Gary Megson could give loanee mifielder John Bostock his full debut when Wednesday take on Yeovil at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Bostock made his first appearance in an Owls shirt when he came on as a second-half sub at MK Dons on Tuesday evening and Megson may be tempted to put the Tottenham youngster on from the start against the Glovers, in preference to Chris Sedgwick who made a rare appearance in midweek but failed to impress. 

Megson also has to decide whether to shuffle his pack further after making changes at the Dons. Chris Lines was left on the bench, Miguel Llera was preferred to Rob Jones in the centre of the defence and Lewis Buxton moved forward to midfield, while there was no place in the squad for Ryan Lowe.

Snow is forecast for the Sheffield area from lunchtime onwards on Saturday but the game is currently not in danger of being called off as Wednesday chase another three points in our promotion challenge.

Yeovil, who have shown improved form since Gary Johnson’s return as manager, have recently signed ex-Owl Richard Hinds on loan.

Wednesday are believed to have matched Leicester’s £1m transfer window deal for winger Ben Marshall … but the youngster decided on Championship football rather than a return to S6.

Marshall impressed during his loan spell at Hillsborough before returning to parent club, Stoke, with the hope that he might make a Wednesday comeback either on loan or as a permanent signing.

It is understood we then matched the offer of Leicester boss and ex-Owl Nigel Pearson – believed to be £750,000 plus £250,000 add-ons, depending on appearances and promotion – but Marshall is thought to have decided on the guaranteed higher level of football with the Foxes.

Wednesday’s allocation of 2,700 tickets for the match at Chesterfield sold out within hours of going on sale at Hillsborough this morning.

They went on offer to season ticket holders only at the ground and were snapped up in quick time.

The game is currently scheduled for February 18 but will be rearranged if we beat Blackpool in next week’s FA Cup replay, as it clashes with fifth round day, with us or the Seasiders drawn to play at Everton.