Steve Bruce hailed the quality of his team and the Championship following the pulsating 2-2 draw at Norwich.
A ding-dong battle could have gone either way but the Owls were arguably the better side and were left to rue a late, late leveller deep onto stoppage time.
Bruce said: “I think it was a fantastic advert for the Championship, what a game of football that was.
“The players played manfully throughout a thoroughly entertaining game against the team that I think will be champions.
“They’ve come here and given a very good account of themselves against the best team in the division.
“I’m absolutely gutted for the players and if I was out there as one of them I would really be feeling it.
“They didn’t deserve what has happened to them late on, but that’s the Championship.
“And that’s why it’s one of the most remarkable divisions in the game.
“But the players can be proud of that performance, they have given it absolutely everything, and for me they deserved the win.”