Sheffield Wednesday came from a goal down to secure a precious point at Swansea City on Saturday.

Substitute Steve Watson's header with his first touch of the game gave the Owls a hard earned draw after the home side had taken a first half lead.

Brian Laws opted for a change in formation and one change to the starting line-up with Chelsea loanee Jimmy Smith making his full debut in a three-man Owls midfield.

Jermaine Johnson was the man to be replaced having been taken off seven days earlier in the 1-1 draw with Preston due to a minor knee injury. Wednesday started with a 4-3-3 formation showing their intent to attack Swansea on their home turf.

A bright opening saw some lively attacking play from both sides at the impressive Liberty Stadium with chances created for both sides.

In the third minute Etienne Esajas produced the first shot of the match after Smith had played him in down the right channel. The Dutch forward cut in and fired a shot with his left foot comfortably held at the near post by Swans goalkeeper, Dorus de Vries.

Within a couple of minutes there was danger at the other end though as Leon Britton slid in fellow midfielder Thomas Butler, requiring a vital block from Richard Wood as the Swansea man took aim.

Following a foul on Esajas, James O'Connor whipped in a dangerous free kick from the left which Marcus Tudgay headed just over the Swans' crossbar.

Swansea were showing off their attractive passing game at every opportunity and the Owls had to be well drilled defensively as a team.

Esajas again showed his intent on 21 minutes, cutting in to produce a shot with much more power this time but de Vries managed to parry the ball to safety.

Halfway through the first half Reoberto Martinez' team had failed to test Lee Grant in the Wednesday goal but it was not for the lack of trying.

Laws' back line had been called on to make numerous interceptions and clearances but it was not until the 28th minute when Britton forced Grant into his first real save, producing a powerful low shot from eight yards. Wednesday's number one did superbly to get down and push the ball round his near post.

Butler then popped up at the far post with a header which looped just wide of Grant's left-hand upright giving the Owls chance to breathe a sigh of relief once more.

Swansea soon turned the screw again though and their pressure on the Owls goal told in the 36th minute as Wednesday aimed to build a counter attack. O'Connor struggled to control Deon Burton's pass and Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde pounced, unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard effort with his right foot to make it 1-0.

Wednesday were also counting the cost in the referee's book as Tony McMahon followed Burton and Sean McAllister by picking up the Owls third yellow card in the 39th minute, feeling quite aggrieved to be punished for his challenge on Mark Gower.

McMahon continued his complaints to the referee at half time but it was clear that the Owls would have to improve their efforts after the break to take something from the game.

If anything Swansea came out with more purpose and fluidity for the second half.

Jason Scotland's left foot drive from 18 yards was smothered by Grant on 49 minutes and the keeper did well moments later claiming Butler's dangerous ball across the six-yard box.

Wednesday were proving resolute in general though and by the hour mark the visitors had resumed a more regimented 4-4-2 formation with Jemraine Johnson replacing Smith.

The Owls had a let off on 64 minutes though when Swans defender Ashley Williams headed against Grant's post.

Swansea continued to push forward and substitutes Jordi Gomez and Gorka Pintado combined well only for the latter to produce a weak finish into Grant's arms.

Laws made a double substitution on 69 minutes and whether it was inspired or fortuitous is open to debate but it certainly proved a key moment.

Steve Watson and Leon Clarke entered the fray and within a minute of joining the action the veteran midfielder had drawn the Owls level cleanly heading Marcus Tudgay's chipped cross beyond de Vries with his first touch of the game.

Wednesday remained under attack however and were lucky when Swans skipper Garry Monk and, four minutes later, Pintado headed wide from almost identical positions in front of Grant's goal.

But the Owls had evidently grown in confidence as the home fans started to grow restless and the visitors looked threatening on the counter attack.

Tommy Spurr hit the crossbar in the 84th minute, looping in a cross towards the far post but it was not close enough for a Wednesday man to capitalise.

Watson saw another header cleared from the Swansea goalmouth in the dying minutes of the game but a late winner would possibly have been more than Wednesday deserved from a tough encounter in Wales.

The Swans came within a whisker of nicking all three points in stoppage time when Febian Brandy headed against the outside of the post but the travelling support could go home buoyed by a hard-fought point.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-3-3): Grant; McMahon, Wood, Beevers, Spurr; McAllister, Smith (Johnson 59), O'Connor; Tudgay, Burton (Clarke 69), Esajas (Watson 69).

Subs not used: O'Donnell, Gilbert.

Booked: Burton 25 (foul), McAllister 31 (foul), McMahon 36 (foul).

Swansea City (4-5-1): de Vries; Rangel, Williams, Monk, Painter; Butler (Brandy 86), Britton, Bodde, Pratley (Gomez 67), Gower; Scotland (Pintado 57).

Subs not used: Tate, Orlandi.

Referee: K Friend

Attendance: 16,702