Two goals late in the first half sentenced Wednesday to defeat at the hands of city rivals Sheffield United, despite Steven MacLean netting his first goal since returning from injury.

The Scot converted a 78th minute penalty to give the Owls hope after Michael Tonge and Ade Akinbiyi had put the Blades in the driving seat with two goals in the last eight minutes of the opening period.

United had chances to increase their advantage after the restart, but when the next goal come it was from Wednesday, though Paul Sturrock's side were unable to produce a leveller.

The action began after a minute's silence for two Owls fans who tragically lost their lives in a road accident travelling home from Wednesday night's game at Coventry City, which was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters. Leon Best had the first goal attempt 76 seconds in, but fired high over the top from MacLean's lay-off.

The Blades responded with Frank Simek diving to block Nick Montgomery's volley with his head and Chris Adamson reacted well after Akinbiyi hooked across goal from Rob Kozluk's long-throw.

Chris Armstrong stuck out a leg to block Chris Brunt's right-footed drive from MacLean's lay-off and the Ulsterman also curled in a corner which eluded Graham Coughlan at the back post.

Coughlan made a fine block at the other end just past the half-hour to divert Paul Ifill's shot away from goal after the winger turned past Peter Gilbert and a scramble ensued before MacLean and Brunt worked the ball clear for Wednesday.

The Owls retaliated with Brunt warming Paddy Kenny's hands with a 30-yard blast but a quickfire double blast from the Blades soon after put them firmly in the driving seat.

Wednesday got themselves into trouble in the 37th minute with a number of short passes and Brunt brought Armstrong down in the Owls right back position. Tonge stepped up and sent a curling shot directly into Adamson's top left-hand corner to give United first blood.

The Blades doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time when Akinbiyi rifled home on the half-volley from Armstrong's centre to stun Wednesday going into the break.

The Owls were fortunate not to go further behind in the 58th minute when Akinbiyi somehow sent a diving header over the bar after hurling himself forward to reach a fine cross from Bruce Dyer. Adamson had to race off his line to steal the ball from the onrushing Dyer and also held Kozluk's drive, while Dyer looped over the bar from Ifill's pullback with the Blades in control.

Wednesday were handed a lifeline with 12 minutes remaining as Glenn Whelan was felled in the box under challenge from Chris Morgan. MacLean stepped up and slotted his kick into Kenny's right-hand corner, sending the Blades stopper the wrong way.

The Owls had a penalty appeal rejected when Brunt challenged for a header late on and Kozluk volleyed off the line following a scramble when Whelan arced a cross into the box, but the Blades held out for victory.

Wednesday: Adamson; Simek, Bullen, Coughlan (Capt), Gilbert; Brunt, Folly (Partridge 62), Whelan, O'Brien; MacLean. Best (Tudgay 59).

Subs: Kirby, P Collins, Partridge, McAllister, Tudgay.

United: Kenny; Kozluk, N Collins, Morgan (Capt), Armstrong; Ifill (Geary 84), Jagieka, Montgomery, Tonge, Akinbiyi (Flitcroft 90), Dyer (Horsfield 81).

Subs: Barnes, Flitcroft, Kabba, Geary, Horsfield.