Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Birmingham City
The Owls and Birmingham played out a goalless draw on Tuesday night at Hillsborough.A contest of few chances could have gone either way but Wednesday asked more of the questions only to just fall short in front of goal.
The hosts controlled the first half, the Blues showed more in the second but neither rearguard was breached and the points were shared.
With Birmimgham the most improved side in the division and Wednesday out to make inroads on an indifferent home record, something had to give if the match was to produce a winner.
Stuart Gray rang the changes and gave maiden starts to Lewis Baker and Will Keane, who eased themselves into the game in a measured fashion.
The loan duo saw plenty of the ball as Wednesday bossed the early exchanges and but for a perfectly timed challenge from ex-Owl Michael Morrison on 16 minutes, Keane would have fashioned a clear run on goal.
But that was the last of the action for Morrison, who fell victim to what appeared a calf injury moments later.
Wednesday upped the ante and almost took the lead on 26 minutes following a sweeping three-man move.
Baker linked up well with Atdhe Nuhiu, who in turn found Jacques Maghoma and the wideman jinked inside before forcing a fine save from Darren Randolph.
Wednesday stayed in the driving seat for the remainder of the first half but were fired a warning shot almost on the whistle when Clayton Donaldson was denied an easy tap-in by some diligent Joe Mattock defending at the last.
The game reverted to type after the break and Chris Maguire looped a free kick inches over the crossbar but the Blues grew into proceedings, breaking with confidence.
Donaldson was the main outlet and the rangy striker had a couple of half chances and Keiren Westwood kept out the latter with a brave diving save.
The Owls introduced Jeremy Helan, whose pace unsettled the Birmingham defence, and the pendulum swung back in Wednesday’s favour.
High balls to Nuhiu were causing problems and the big man went close with a low drive 15 minutes from the end after Liam Palmer floated a dangerous cross into the box.
The same two players combined again in the next attack and Nuhiu headed over before and that proved the final opportunity for either side to settle a low-key affair.
Owls: Westwood, Palmer, Loovens, Lees, Mattock, Maghoma, Semedo, Baker, Maguire (Helan 61), Nuhiu, Keane (May 75)
Birmingham: Randolph, Grounds, Robinson, Gleeson, Donaldson (Thomas 84), Cotterill, Shinnie (Dyer 71), Davis, Morrison (Spector 21), Caddis, Gray