Owls post Blues point
Wednesday posted a hard-fought point on the board at St Andrew's on Tuesday, drawing 0-0 with Birmingham City.
The Owls and the Blues could not be separated on the night with a point apiece a fair result on the balance of play.
The stalemate in the Midlands continues Wednesday’s unbeaten run in the Championship – now up to six games – with just one defeat in the last 11 fixtures.
There were places in the Owls’ line-up for skipper Martin Taylor and a maiden start for Sunderland loan striker Connor Wickham.
For Birmingham, the game presented an early opportunity for the Blues to bounce back from their heavy 4-0 home loss to Watford three days prior.
On the other hand for Wednesday, it was a chance to continue their good run in the Championship and leapfrog Lee Clark’s side in the process.
Blues frontman Marlon King had two early sights at goal inside five minutes.
The first was a powerful half volley that flew over the crossbar and the second a cleverly crafted chip that Chris Kirkland managed to read and gather comfortably.
But it was so nearly the Owls who registered an early goal after 12 minutes.
A dangerous corner from Danny Pugh picked out Miguel Llera in the mix, but the Spaniard’s fierce header from close range was expertly saved by Jack Butland.
The game developed into an even battle as both sides looked to work an opening in front of goal.
Just before the half-hour mark, the home side fashioned a good chance as Wade Elliot’s deep free kick was floated towards towering striker Nikola Zigic in the danger zone but the recalled Serb was unable to get the required purchase on his header.
As the first half drew to a close, Birmingham began to narrowly edge proceedings as Zigic saw his strike from ten yards superbly closed down by the imposing figure of Llera.
Wednesday started the second half brightly and debutant Wickham went close with a fierce snapshot on the turn before the home side upped the ante themselves but were met by a stern line of resistance.
On 70 minutes, though, Birmingham could and should have taken the lead.
Chris Burke arrowed a low drive into the six-yard box and Zigic conspired to somehow screw wide when it seemed easier to score.
King then forced a fine save from Chris Kirkland before Zigic sent his glancing header inches the wrong side of the upright from Jonathan Spector’s centre.
Wednesday threatened to break the all-important deadlock late in the contest as Jeremy Helan delivered a low ball into the box that was well dealt with by Steven Caldwell, who managed to divert behind for a corner.
Gary Madine then saw his header go agonisingly wide before Pugh cleared off the line at the other end from Eliott's wide free kick.
Four minutes of added time were signalled by the fourth official but there was to be no breakthrough as the both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Birmingham: Butland, Caldwell, Davies, Burke, King (Lovenkrands 83), Elliott, Zigic, Spector, Hancox, Caddis, Reilly
Unused substitutes: Doyle, Ibanez, Mullins, Thomas, Redmond, Hall
Owls: Kirkland, Buxton, Taylor, Llera, Pugh, Antonio, Coke (McCabe 81), Prutton, Helan, Wickham (J Johnson 66), Lita (Madine 78)
Unused substitutes: Bywater, Mattock, Lee, Semedo