Wednesday could count themselves unfortunate not to get something out of today’s 2-0 home defeat to league leaders Rotherham.
We created most of the chances, particularly in the first half, but just could not find that finishing touch and were undone by two Rotherham strikes after the break.
The loss leaves us in eighth place, one point adrift of the play-offs, and if we can replicate the display from today – goals apart – then we should still be pushing for a top six place come the end of the season.
Sam Hutchinson looped an early header just over the bar and then keeper Josh Vickers saved twice in quick succession from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Jack Hunt.
Hunt did have the ball in the net just after the half hour but was ruled offside before Bannan was just wide with a long-ranger.
And with Wednesday making most of the chances, Liam Palmer twice went close after surging runs.
We continued to dominate at the start of the second half and created an excellent opening on 51 minutes, Callum Paterson breaking free on the left of the penalty box but electing to try to cross to Mendez-Laing rather than shoot and the pass was blocked by Wes Harding.
Then, with their first effort on target, Rotherham grabbed the lead in controversial circumstances just before the hour.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell looked to have kept the ball in play but the referee on the far side of the pitch flagged that it had gone out for a corner. From the resulting kick, Ben Wiles’ header at the far side of goal was turned home from close range by Freddie Ladapo.
Minutes later, we were close to an equaliser when Bannan’s low free kick from the edge of the box was tipped away by Vickers.
Hunt then fired over from 12 yards from a clever Bannan corner as Wednesday continued to push for a leveller and another chance went begging 15 minutes from time when Mendez-Laing burst clear but saw his shot blocked by the advancing Vickers.
Then, with six minutes remaining, Rotherham settled the game … with a second goal from their second attempt on target.
The ball dropped to Michael Smith in the box from a free kick and he drilled home into the corner of the net.
It left us to rue our missed chances but also reflecting on an aggressive, attacking display that deserved at least a point against the league leaders.
Peacock-Farrell, Storey, Hutchinson, Palmer, Hunt (Sow 78), Luongo, Byers, Bannan, Johnson, Paterson, Mendez-Laing (Kamberi 83). Unused subs. Wildsmith, Brown, Brennan, Waldock, Berahino. Attendance: 26,418.