A second-half header from Tom Lees gave Wednesday a much-needed three points against Bolton at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening in a game desperately lacking in quality.
The victory, our first at Hillsborough for three months, lifts us up into 14th place and six points clear of the relegation zone.
However, the level of performance was way below expectations – especially considering the weak opposition – and manager Jos Luhukay is still likely to find his position under question unless there is a consistent upturn in form and results.
With ourselves having taken just one point from the previous six games and Bolton looking for a first win in nine matches, it was hardly likely to be a classic … and, sadly, the game lived up to that billing.
Both sides were clearly lacking in confidence and that was there to see at either end of the pitch in a dreadfully disappointing first-half that saw Steven Fletcher substituted on 34 minutes after taking a knock to the head.
The introduction of Fernando Forestieri for the second half gave us some early impetus and Lees struck on 57 minutes, rising to head home Joey Pelupessy’s corner in front of the Kop.
Clayton Donaldson, once of Sheff U, fluffed Bolton’s best opportunity to equalise late on and then Forestieri and sub Lucas Joao both failed to convert openings.
That summed up an evening which saw the two sides each muster just one shot on target but, most importantly, it was Wednesday who took the three points.
Dawson, Baker, Lees, Hector, Thorniley, Penney (Forestieri 46), Bannan, Pelupessy, Reach, Fletcher (Nuhiu 34), Matias (Joao 85). Att: 20,861.