REPORT: Owls 0-0 Brighton
The Owls and Brighton posted a low-key goalless draw at Hillsborough on Saturday.
Chances were few at both ends, with visiting goalkeeper David Stockdale excelling for the Seagulls.
For Brighton’s part, they threatened sporadically but not enough to take all three points back to the South Coast.
The early exchanges were relatively even, with neither keeper troubled, until the 25th minute when the most enterprising move of the first half almost spawned a goal.
Liam Palmer – recalled to the right back berth – delivered a perfect cross to the near post for Sergiu Bus, whose glancing header brought the best out of Stockdale.
Wednesday went on to ask more of the questions but Brighton came within a whisker of scoring on the counter on 32 minutes when Rohan Ince smashed a half volley inches over the crossbar.
The Owls were dealt a blow moments later when Jose Semedo went off with a leg injury – Sam Hutchinson replaced the stand-in skipper.
But right on half time, they went close to taking the lead, again with a Palmer cross and near post header, this time Will Keane forcing Stockdale into a spectacular save.
Keane made way for Atdhe Nuhiu for the second period and Wednesday started brightly, with Kieran Lee flicking wide from a Jacques Maghoma feed.
Lewis McGugan then whipped in a dangerous cross that just evaded three on-rushing attackers in front of the Kop.
On 70 minutes, the atmosphere was ramped up when Lee had two chances to break the deadlock.
First the midfielder bore down a goal after taking a Hutchinson ball into his stride and was thwarted by an Inigo Calderon tackle at the last.
Then Lee got the better of Calderon two yards inside the box but Stockdale saved low to his left.
Despite Wednesday’s dominance, the Seagulls did show on occasion and they fashioned a clear opening 15 minutes from the end but Bruno Saltor blazed over the bar.
The Owls introduced Stevie May with nine minutes to go but it was strike partner and fellow substitute Atdhe Nuhiu who could have made the breakthough at the death only to fire over having neatly turned his marker from eight yards.
Owls: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Zayatte, Helan, Lee, McGugan, Semedo (Hutchinson 32), Maghoma, Bus (May 81), Keane (Nuhiu 46)
Brighton: Stockdale, Saltor, Greer, Dunk, Calderon, Baldock (Halford 78), Teixeira, Best (Mackail-Smith 78), Ince, Kayal (Stephens 73), Bennett