An injury-time goal from Lee Gregory gave Xisco Munoz his first win as Wednesday boss … albeit in a low-key 2-1 friendly victory at National League Chesterfield this evening.
Gregory, who came on at half time, turned home a knock back from Josh Windass for his second goal of the night in front of the 4,000-plus Wednesday fans, their presence swelling the crowd to more than 9,000 for what was also a testimonial game for ex-Owl and former Spireite Drew Talbot.
Michael Smith sent an effort over the top on 10 minutes but that was a rare Wednesday threat in the first half.
Chesterfield looked the livelier side side for much of the half and took the lead nine minutes from the break, the Wednesday defence was 0utdone down the right and when the low cross came into the near post it appeared to deflect off Dominic Iorfa and into the net.
Munoz made several changes at half time and we took just two minutes to level the scores. Iorfa made a storming run from his own half and his cross to the near post was excellently clipped home by Gregory.
Cameron Dawson came to the rescue with two fine saves in quick succession just before the hour before Wednesday fans gave a warm welcome back from injury for George Byers when he came on for the closing stages.
With time running out, Chesterfield went close to a second goal when Jesurun Uchegbulam’s header came back off the bar before Gregory pounced for that added-time winner in a largely lacklustre display from the Owls.
Dawson (Charles 60), Brennan (Fusire 46), Iorfa (Alimi-Adetoro 60), Famewo (Phuthi 60), Vaulks (Glover 46), James (Flannery 60), Cook (Onukwuli 60), Johnson (Shipston 60; Byers 79), Bannan (Bakinson 46), Paterson (Windass 46), Smith (Gregory 46). Attendance: 9,099 (4,178 Wednesdayites).