Sheffield Wednesday posted a valuable point from a low-key televised clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday evening.

Both sides had chances to claim all three points but the lack of a real cutting edge up front ensured the game would finish goalless.

Ipswich survived a clear first half penalty claim and ex-Owl Alan Quinn came close to punishing his former employers after the break but all things considered, a draw was probably the right result.

Midfielder Michael Gray returned to the Owls' starting line-up, replacing hamstring victim and former Ipswich man Tommy Miller, who missed out on a quickfire visit to Portman Road.

Other than that one change, Brian Laws fielded the same team that lost 2-1 to QPR last time out, at Hillsborough two weeks ago.

Town striker Tamas Priskin had the first sight of goal inside five minutes after taking a delightful through-ball from Grant Leadbitter into his stride but the former Watford striker's scuffed shot was easily gathered by Lee Grant.

The hosts continued to press forward and the first significant action involving a yellow shirt came on nine minutes when an ill-timed challenge by Frank Simek on Carlos Edwards saw the American receive an early booking.

Richard Hinds promptly followed suit after a blatant check on Lee Martin that halted an Ipswich breakaway.

Jermaine Johnson prodded a shot into the midriff of Asmir Begovic as the Owls began to see more of the ball, before Lewis Buxton became the third Wednesday player to see yellow, for a foul on Priskin, and referee Andy D'Urso was rapidly dominating the first half talking points.

D'Urso then denied the Owls a penalty on the half-hour mark when Luke Varney's flicked header inside the box was diverted by Damien Delaney, who was fortunate to escape a clear handball.

Town responded with Martin forcing a diving save by Grant before Wednesday hit back themselves as Marcus Tudgay brought an athletic stop from Begovic.

Buxton counted himself lucky not to see his earlier yellow upgraded to red on 34 minutes after a late scythe on Priskin from behind but fortune on this occasion favoured the visitors.

The second period unfolded at a quicker pace and in driving rain, with Leadbitter and Varney spurning chances at either end just minutes into the restart.

The Owls, though, were gaining the upper hand, playing with more attacking purpose in particular.

Ipswich boss Roy Keane made a double substitution on the hour to inject new life into his team as Gareth McAuley and Quinn came on for another former Owls player, Alex Bruce, and Lee Martin.

Laws introduced Leon Clarke, on for Johnson, but the next chance fell to the Tractor Boys, with Grant saving low to his right from Owen Garvan.

The pendulum was swinging back in the favour of Ipswich and Quinn burst through on 69 minutes but Grant was swiftly off his line to divert the danger. And Wednesday emerged unscathed seconds later when a frantic goalmouth scramble somehow failed to break the deadlock.

Ipswich went close again minutes later when third substitute Jon Stead brought a fine save from Grant. Priskin prodded home the rebound but his strike was rightly ruled out for offside.

Ipswich: Begovic; Wright, Bruce (McAuley 58), Delaney, Rosenior, Leadbitter, Garvan, Martin (Quinn 58), Walters (c) (Stead 76), Edwards, Priskin

Unused substitutes: Wright, Peters, Trotter, Wickham.

Owls: Grant; Simek, Buxton, Hinds, Spurr (c); Johnson (Clarke 61), Potter, O'Conner, Gray; Varney, Tudgay

Unused substitutes: O'Donnell, Purse, Beevers, McAllister, Esajas, Jeffers

Referee: Andy D'Urso

Attendance: 19,646