Sheffield Wednesday posted a fully deserved point at in-form Bristol City on Saturday. The Robins went into the game with the joint-best home record in the division but Wednesday put on a spirited and enterprising display to emerge with a share of the spoils.

Nicky Maynard opened the scoring for City but Luke Varney hit back to earn the Owls a welcome point. And substitute Leon Clarke almost won all three for Wednesday, only to be denied by a world class save from Dean Gerken.

SWFC made three changes from the team that lost 4-1 at Watford last time out. Brian Laws was contemplating a rethink following that dismal night in Hertfordshire, but with a virus sweeping through the S6 camp in midweek, the Owls boss had to shuffle his pack regardless.



Wednesday adapted a 4-3-3 formation with Frank Simek recalled to the defence alongside Richard Hinds and Lewis Buxton, while Tommy Miller started in the engine room. Jermaine Johnson, Marcus Tudgay and Varney spearheaded a three-pronged attack.

Tommy Spurr captained the side in the absence of Darren Purse and an under-strength bench was padded out with youngsters Max Wragg, Nick Wood and Nathan Modest.

Despite the unfamiliar look and system, the Owls started brightly with Miller forcing Dean Gerken into a smart near post save inside two minutes. Tudgay and Varney then linked up well before the Derby loanee struck the woodwork on the turn, but the linesman's flag would have ruled out the strike for offside had it gone in.

City's maiden threat came on 13 minutes and almost brought the first goal. Danny Haynes swung a floating ball into the danger zone from the right for Marvin Elliot to glance a goalbound header that Lee Grant expertly tipped over the crossbar.



The game settled into a calmer pace following the hectic start, with City enjoying more of the ball but Wednesday were resolute at the back and looked capable on the break. Maynard brought a comfortable save from Grant while the Owls responded with Johnson going close from distance.

But the best chance of the opening period fell to Varney 12 yards out ten minutes before the interval. Great work by Miller saw Varney with the ball at his feet and the goal gaping but the striker fired only a tame shot straight into the arms of Gerken.

City skipper Louis Carey then denied Tudgay with a last-ditch tackle as the latter was about to pull the trigger from close range and it was Wednesday that ended the half the stronger.

The hosts made two changes for the start of the second half as Carey and Lee Johnson made way for Alvaro Saborio and Paul Hartley. City altered their formation to 4-4-3, clearly in a bid to take the game to Wednesday.

And the move paid dividends on the hour. Hinds cleared a Nyatanga effort cleared off the line and after a brief scramble, the ball fell to dangerman Maynard on the edge of the area. The Robins' top scorer forced his way through two challenges and duly poked into the back of the net to put City into the driving seat.



Laws introduced Clarke from the bench for Miller and the hitman almost made an immediate impact. City failed to clear their lines following an Owls free kick and Clarke's sidefooter was destined for the bottom corner before Gerken pulled off a stunning save low to his right.

Hinds then appeared to be clattered from behind in the area by Jamie McCombe only for the referee to wave away strong claims for a Wednesday penalty.

But the Owls deservedly drew level on 75 minutes. James O'Connor fed Tudgay, who in turn found Varney, and the on-rushing hitman drilled a low shot from 22 yards that positively flew past Gerkin.

Wednesday had their tails up and Varney went close three minutes later, forcing Gerken into a diving save after taking Clarke's feed into his stride.

Both sides had half chances in the closing stages but a winner from either might have proved harsh, with a point apiece about the right result from an entertaining contest in the West Country.

Bristol City (3-5-2): Gerken, Skuse, McCombe, Carey (Saborio 46), Nyatanga, McAllister, Elliot, Johnson (Hartley 46), Sno, Haynes (Sproule 80) Maynard

Unused substitutes: Basso, Clarkson, Williams, Ribeiro

Owls (4-3-3): Grant, Simek, Buxton, Hinds, Spurr, Potter, O'Connor, Miller (Clarke 65), Johnson, Tudgay, Varney

Unused substitutes: O'Donnell, Nick Wood, Boden, Wragg, Modest, Jeffers

Referee: Fred Graham

Attendance: 15,005 (1,152 away)