Sheffield Wednesday went down to an unfortunate defeat against high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
The Owls seemed to have secured a point when in-form hitman Luke Varney cancelled out Dexter Blackstock's first half opener from the penalty spot. But Forest striker Blackstock had the final word, claiming a late winner to settle an entertaining contest that SWFC dominated in part.
And despite the narrow loss, there were plenty of positives for newly crowned Manager of the Month Alan Irvine to take as his side gave promotion hopefuls Forest one of their toughest tests of the season so far.
Wednesday made one change from the side that beat Plymouth Argyle at Hillsborough last weekend as Frank Simek returned to the right back berth following Lewis Buxton's hamstring injury.
That switch aside, it was as you were for the Owls in the Midlands to face a Forest side out to get back on track after suffering their first defeat in 20 games at local rivals Derby County - and their first league loss in almost a year.
Wednesday opened with a Varney snapshot that Lee Camp saved comfortably and the visitors continued on the front foot through the early exchanges, albeit without causing any undue concern in the Forest half.
When Forest ventured up front, the Owls' defence held firm as Irvine's side looked well organised all over the pitch.
Chances were at a premium at both ends until Forest were awarded a penalty midway through the half.
Blackstock thumped a shot into the arm of Darren Purse and the Wednesday skipper could count himself unfortunate to see the referee point to the spot. Penalty duty fell to Blackstock, who calmly dispatched past Lee Grant from 12 yards.
Forest were duly buoyed and Nathan Tyson tested Grant with a low drive from distance moments later before Robert Earnshaw sent a half-chance high into the 4,000 travelling Wednesdayites packed behind Grant's goal.
The Owls needed a response and almost got it as Luke Varney forced an excellent save from Camp after the loanee striker slipped his marker in the penalty area.
The hosts were undaunted, though, and Grant had to be alert to parry Robert Earnshaw's curling free kick to safety.
Wednesday started the second half as they did the first and came close to restoring parity three minutes in. Darren Potter lofted a 25-yard free kick goalwards but the ball deflected from the wall and onto the crossbar with Camp flat-footed.
The Owls continued to press as Forest struggled to make an impression in the final third but that said, the hosts' rearguard was also largely untroubled after the scare from Potter.
Irvine sent on Leon Clarke and Etienne Esajas to add some attacking impetus and the move paid dividends as Esajas was instrumental in hauling Wednesday level on 74 minutes.
The Dutchman drilled a low shot across goal that fell kindly to Varney, who made no mistake with a firm finish past Camp.
But just as the Owls threatened to really turn the screw, Forest scored from their first meaningful attack of the second half on 79 minutes.
Chris Cohen sent a dangerous free kick into the box and although Grant kept out Blackstock's low header, the keeper could do nothing to prevent the hitman pouncing on the rebound to double his tally and secure three valuable points.
Forest: Camp, Perch, Morgan, Wilson, Earnshaw (Adebola 70), Tyson (Anderson 65), Cohen, Gunter, McKenna, Moussi, Blackstock (McGoldrick 84)
Unused substitutes: Chambers, McGugan, Smith, Majewski
Owls: Grant, Simek, Purse, Beevers, Spurr, Soares (Clarke 67), Potter, O'Connor, Gray (Esajas 67), Tudgay, Varney
Unused substitutes: Jameson, Hinds, McAlister, Lekaj, Clarke, Boden
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Attendance: 27,900 (3,718 away)
