Goals either side of half time from Lee Gregory were not enough for three points as Wimbledon hit back to draw 2-2 at Plough Lane.

Gregory opened the scoring and doubled his tally from the penalty spot to put Wednesday in command.

But the Dons showed grit and character to score twice through Nesta Guinness-Walker and Jack Rudoni to conclude an exciting capital contest.

After an incident-free opening, Jaden Brown almost caught out Nik Tzanev at his near post from the tightest of angles but the keeper parried clear with his knees.

There was little Tzanev could do, though, as Wednesday struck first blood 13 minutes in. Barry Bannan picked out the lurking Gregory in space 12 yards out and it was almost academic that the in-form marksman would turn to plant an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

The Dons dusted themselves down and came close to a quickfire leveller when Anthony Hartigan delivered a wicked in-swinging set piece from the left that curled just past the post.

Back came Wednesday and Tzanev beated out a fierce drive from Callum Paterson before Rudoni glanced a Hartigan cross wide at the other end.  

Fisayo Dele-Bashiro picked the pocket of Guinness-Walker with the interval looming and Tzanev was relieved to see the midfielder’s effort fizz past the upright.

Wimbledon started the second half on the offensive and spurned a golden chance to equalise when Ayoub Assal failed to get true purchase on a Hartigan corner six yards from goal.

And they were made to pay for that profligacy as Wednesday went 2-0 up on the hour. Jack Hunt’s accurate cross was on its way to the leaping Lewis Wing, who received a shove in the back at close range.

The referee pointed to the spot and Gregory made no mistake, sending Tzanev the wrong way.

The Owls were squarely in the box seat and Dele-Bashiru and Wing missed back-to-back chances, which allowed the hosts a route back into the game on 67 minutes.

Joe Wildsmith did well to acrobatically deny Aaron Pressley but was powerless to prevent Guinness-Walker slamming home the rebound.

Wednesday soaked up the pressure that followed and promptly broke to create two opportunities to put the points to bed.

But Tzanev kept his side’s hopes alive with two stunning saves, both from powerful headers, with Saido Berahino first and then Gregory denied.

Wildsmith thwarted Pressley with time running out but the Dons would get their reward to complete the comeback six minutes from the end.

Guinness-Walker swung an inviting cross to the back stick, where Rudoni was on hand to stab past Wildsmith and secure the draw.

Wednesday: Wildsmith, Hunt, Iorfa, Dunkley, Palmer, Brown, Wing, Bannan, Dele-Bashiru (Berahino 70), Paterson, Gregory