Davis Keillor-Dunn’s second half penalty won maximum points for Burton as Wednesday were beaten 3-2 in a thrilling Papa Johns Trophy tie at Hillsborough.

The Owls fought back from 2-0 down in a ding-dong opening period after ex-Owl Sam Winnall and Jonny Smith put the Midlanders in charge.

Mallik Wilks opened his S6 account before Callum Paterson hauled the hosts on terms.

But Burton were not to be denied and Keillor-Dunn’s spot-kick early in the second half proved decisive.

After Wilks threatened following a lung-busting run from halfway, the Brewers promptly scored from their first attack seven minutes in.

Keillor-Dunn found space down the left of the box and squared for Winnall, who poked the visitors into the lead from close range.

Another former Owl, Deji Oshilaja, would have made it two on the 15-minute mark but for some heroic defending by the returning Ben Heneghan.

Oshilaja’s whipped shot on the angle was heading for the top corner only for Heneghan to sprint back and nod over the bar.

A minute later, though, the Brewers did double their lead. Smith took possession on the far edge of the penalty area and curled an unstoppable hit beyond Cameron Dawson.

Wednesday were sparked into life, with Wilks looking particularly lively, but the Owls were a lick of paint from being 3-0 down on the half-hour mark.

Little seemed on for Keillor-Dunn 25 yards out before the striker unleashed a blistering drive that cannoned back into play off the post.

And the Owls took full advantage of that fortune, scoring twice in as many minutes to draw level.

First, on 32, Wilks took a crossfield pass from Lee Gregory into his stride before powering forward to bury a whistling daisycutter into the bottom corner.

Then, two minutes later, Alex Mighten embarked on a mazy run that finished with a charged down shot and Paterson was on hand to scoop the rebound high into the net.

The drama continued straight after the restart when Burton were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes.

The referee pointed to the spot when Dominic Iorfa tangled with Oshilaja and Keillor-Dunn netted emphatically from 12 yards.

Wednesday regrouped and sought another way back into the game, Tyreeq Bakinson not far off target from distance while Paterson expertly controlled a Reece James feed out of the sky before slamming wide.

Will Vaulks, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Bakinson all tried their luck as Wednesday peppered the Burton backline right to the last.

Barry Bannan came off the bench and stamped his mark on a one-sided half but the resolute Brewers were content to hold onto their advantage from deep and held firm to seal victory.

Wednesday: Dawson, Hunt, Iorfa, Heneghan (James 46), Brown (Johnson 82) Vaulks, Bakinson (Bannan 82), Paterson, Mighten, Wilks, Gregory (Dele-Bashiru 46)