Wednesday went to the top of division one with a 1-0 win over leaders Plymouth in front of a full house at Hillsborough this afternoon.
An early strike from Callum Paterson saw us leapfrog the Pilgrims into first place, level on points with the West Country side but with a superior goal difference and a game in hand. Third-placed Ipswich were held to a 1-1 draw at Cambridge and they now trail us by six points and having played a game more.
Roared on by a 33,000-plus crowd, we were on the front foot from the start against Plymouth and went ahead on seven minutes when Paterson swivelled to sweep home a low cross from Will Vaulks.
Argyle keeper Michael Cooper then prevented a second Wednesday goal on 15 minutes when he saved a close-range effort by Aiden Flint at the foot of the post.
Cooper had to be replaced by Callum Burton just before the half-hour mark after getting injured in an aerial challenge with Josh Windass and, although they began to grow into the game, Plymouth found it difficult to create threats on the Wednesday goal.
We went close to doubling our lead soon after half time when Liam Palmer cut in along the byline and saw his angled effort – whether it was a shot or cross – deflect off the near post and across goal.
As the game became more stretched, Ryan Hardie shot over when well placed for Argyle, Marvin Johnson did likewise for Wednesday and Bali Mumba was just wide from 20 yards for the visitors.
Then, with 15 minutes left, we looked to have made sure of all three points when George Byers steered home a Malik Wilks cross from 12 yards.
However. with the ball already back on the centre spot for the restart, the linesman was seen to be flagging Lee Gregory offside and blocking the keeper’s view and the goal was ruled out.
Plymouth caused a late scare when Sam Cosgrove fired just over before we saw out 10 minutes of added time to go top of the table for the first time this season and spark scenes of great celebration from players and fans alike.
Dawson, Paterson (Hunt 55), Iorfa, Flint, Palmer, Johnson, Vaulks, Bannan (Adeniran 86), Byers, Windass (Wilks 73), Smith (Gregory 73). Unused subs: Stockdale, Brown, Dele-Bashiru. Attendance: 33,442.