Much-improved Owls denied in injury time

A much-improved Wednesday conceded yet another injury-time goal and had to settle for a point – when we arguably deserved all three – in a 3-3 draw at Birmingham this afternoon.

Having twice come from behind to lead 3-2, we were hit once more by a sucker punch, Scott Hogan firing home in the 92nd minute in a rare Birmingham threat in the second half.

With the side looking more organised, particularly in the second half, and playing with the purpose, energy and commitment that has been missing in recent weeks, we could count ourselves unlucky not to leave St Andrew’s with a much-needed victory.

The point, which will see us seeking just a second win in 12 league games when we entertain Charlton in midweek, leaves us in 12th place … 11 points off both the play-off places and the relegation zone.

We fell behind after just six minutes, Jacob Murphy turning a Birmingham corner into his own net, but Barry Bannan fired us level 15 minutes later with a 25-yarder into the bottom corner of the net.

Both sides looked vulnerable in defence and the home side were back in front on the half-hour mark, Lucas Jutkiewicz shooting home from the edge of the box.

Wednesday began to pose more of a threat as the game progressed, largely down the flanks, and we were level for a second time four minutes later when Kieran Lee was brought down in the penalty box by Maxime Colin and Fernando Forestieri slotted home from the spot kick.

Morgan Fox and Connor Wickham were both introduced at half time and the changes signalled further improvements in the display.

With 65 minutes gone we took the lead for the first time with a third goal our performance warranted, Murphy finishing in style with a fierce cross shot after being set up by Forestieri.

The crucial moment in the game came on 75 minutes and again it was Murphy at the centre of the action, This time, he burst clear from the halfway line to face a one-on-one with home keeper Lee Camp but the winger’s weak finish was saved and with it went the chance to make it 4-2.

Minutes later, Wickham saw his cracking volley from the edge of the box tipped over by Camp but, just when the home side looked to have accepted defeat, Hogan lost his marker from Jutkiewicz’s head-on to lash home the added time equaliser.

Dawson, Pelupessy (Fox 46), Lees, Iorfa (Wickham 46), Börner, Palmer, Murphy, Bannan, Lee, Harris, Forestieri (Fletcher 72). Unused subs: Wildsmith, Nuhiu, Windass, Da Cruz.

 

 

 

 

 

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