Danny Röhl oversaw a much improved performance at Watford from his first game in charge and on another day might have been celebrating a debut win.

Wednesday had a second half penalty award overturned, sparking the lacklustre hosts into life, and the Hornets provided the sting in the tail when Yaser Asprilla came off the bench to secure a late victory.

Until then, Watford were under par as the Owls enjoyed the better moments of a game with few real chances.

The penalty incident proved the turning point but Röhl will doubtless take heart from the starting point of his tenure in Hertfordshire.

The German’s maiden week on the training ground was soon evident as Wednesday played a far more aggressive game at a higher tempo.

The possession stats rose and so too the attacking intent. The Owls were calm, composed and looked more likely to open the scoring.

And on the half-hour mark they almost did exactly that when Pol Valentin clipped an inviting cross onto the head of Josh Windass, who was inches over the top.

The Hornets responded with their most promising effort of the first half just moments later. Jeremy Ngakia delivered a super low feed right into the danger zone, where Vakoun Bayo was a whisker away from connecting.

Barry Bannan had a blistering effort deflected wide to conclude a positive opening 45 and it almost got better straight after the restart.

Windass curled in an angled set piece for the advancing Jeff Hendrick in space but the midfielder’s header was narrowly off target.

Then came the moment of controversy on 54 minutes. Anthony Musaba got on the outside of Jamal Lewis down the right of the penalty area and went to ground, the referee pointing to the spot.

But after consulting with his assistant, the decision was reversed and the Owls’ opportunity to break the deadlock was gone.

That gave the home side a jolt and after tangibly upping their game, Asprilla notched the winner with nine minutes from time.

The substitute, on for just four minutes, took a raking through-ball into his stride, moved across the edge of the area, and picked his spot in the far corner to compound a frustrating afternoon for Wednesday.

Wednesday: Dawson, Valentin, Iorfa, Diaby, Famewo, Hendrick (Smith 88), Bannan, Buckley (James 77), Paterson, Musaba (Wilks 61), Windass (Gregory 88)