A first half red card for Wednesday proved key in Cambridgeshire where the Owls were beaten 2-0 by Peterborough.

The two sides took the game to each other in the early stages but the tide turned when Reece James was dismissed for a challenge on Joe Ward in the 34^th minute.

Peterborough took advantage in the second half and goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jack Taylor condemned the Owls to our first defeat of the season.

Despite plenty of energy from both teams in the early throes, there were few chances to speak of as the two cancelled each other out.

That was until the 20^th minute when Peterborough won a free kick close to the Owls’ box, but Clarke-Harris’ strike was blasted into the Wednesday wall.

Darren Moore’s men, wearing yellow, responded well and Callum Paterson saw his shot deflected wide following Marvin Johnson’s free kick.

Former Owls loanee Jack Marriott found himself bearing down on goal after charging into the area, but Ben Heneghan pulled off an outstanding block to keep the scores level.

The game turned on its head on 34 minutes when Wednesday were reduced to 10 men.

James’ challenge on Ward was deemed dangerous by referee James Oldham and he showed the defender a red card.   

The Posh looked to take advantage of the Owls’ player deficit and were it not for an incredible David Stockdale save they may have led going into the break.

Taylor’s effort from range looked destined for the top corner, but the keeper stretched across to tip the ball wide.  

The hosts had one more opportunity before the interval when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball strike the post before Liam Palmer cleared.

The Owls started the second half strongly and Will Vaulks almost broke his duck when the midfielder’s powerful drive from 20 yards was saved by Lucas Bergstrom.

But Peterborough began to turn the screw and came within a whisker of taking the lead when Marriott’s glancing header drifted narrowly wide of Stockdale’s far post. And on 65 minutes, the home side made their advantage count.

Ward found space on the right and delivered a curling cross onto the head of Clarke-Harris who nodded Posh in front.  

Grant McCann’s side continued to push as Marriott’s front post shot was parried out of play by Stockdale.

And the home side’s pressure was rewarded when they doubled their lead on 75 minutes.

The ball was whipped in by Ben Thompson, where it met the head of Taylor, before finding the back of the net to seal three points for Peterborough.

Wednesday: Stockdale, Palmer, Ihiekwe (Windass 73), Heneghan, James (S/O 34), Johnson, Vaulks, Byers (Iorfa 40), Bakinson, Paterson, Gregory (Sow 83)