Pierce Charles was the Wednesday hero as we defeated Bolton 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams drew 3-3 in normal time, earning us a home tie with Leeds United in the EFL Cup second round.
Charles was the only survivor from our starting line-up at Leicester on Sunday and his full-length spot-kick saves from Aaron Morley and Max Conway clinched that round two Yorkshire derby, with the Owls converting our four penalties through Charlie McNeill, Jamal Lowe, Max Lowe and then Liam Palmer, all in front of the vociferous travelling Wednesday fans.
The much-changed line-up for the Owls got just the start we wanted on eight minutes when Gui Siqueira moved forward and struck an unstoppable 25-yarder into the top corner of the net.
Worse followed for the home side after 27 minutes when defender Sam Inwood was given a straight red card for bringing down McNeill as he was about to break into the penalty area.
Despite that further setback, Bolton were back on level terms nine minutes before the break when Jordi Osei-Tutu headed home at the far post.
However, we restored the lead a minute later when the ball dropped to Ike Ugbo on the penalty spot and he coolly curled the ball into the corner of the net.
Olaf Kobacki brought a diving save out of home keeper Tyler Miller with a fierce effort almost straight from the restart but Bolton were level once more on 75 minutes when we failed to clear in the box and Thierry Gale turned smartly to fire home.
Within three minutes, McNeill missed a great chance when he shot wide at the far post from close-in but Reece Johnson made no mistake soon afterwards, turning the ball home from an angle to make it 3-2 to Wednesday.
In a topsy-turvy game, there was still time for Bolton to grab a third equaliser in added time with a 20-yarder from Amario Cozier-Duberry, setting up that penalty shootout and a starring role for keeper Charles.
And that was followed by more celebrations between players and fans alike after a battling display by our threadbare and youthful squad.
The second round tie with Leeds at Hillsborough is scheduled for week commencing August 25.
Charles, Siqueira (Palmer 46), Weaver, Emery (M Lowe 69), Johnson, Shipston, Fernandes (Fusire 45), Thornton, Kobacki (Alao 81), Ugbo (J Lowe 81), McNeill. Unused subs: Stretch, Grainger, Kamwa.
