Wednesday put a point on the board in a goalless draw with Huddersfield as Darren Moore’s return to Hillsborough transpired to be a low-key affair.
There was certainly an uplift in performance from the Owls and the point was well deserved, although the Terriers would say similar from a relatively even derby clash.
Chances were few and both sides might have broken the deadlock but caretaker manager Neil Thompson and Moore in the opposite dugout each had something to show for their afternoon’s work.
George Byers’ deflected shot that fizzed just wide triggered a frantic opening with purpose and attacking intent.
Town were close to striking first when Josh Ruffels clipped a loose ball over the returning Cameron Dawson and narrowly past the post.
The contest calmed with little incident of note, until five minutes before the break. Lee Nicholls prepared to launch a long clearance from his area only to see Lee Gregory charge him down and the keeper was fortunate to see the ball ricochet past the upright.
The Terriers’ best moments came from set pieces, as evidenced right on half time when Sorba Thomas was inches away following a Delano Burgzorg delivery.
It was a similar story in the second half, with most of the action unfolding in the middle of the park.
Wednesday introduced Mallik Wilks from the bench and the wideman immediately won a corner from which the breakthrough so nearly came.
Michael Smith nodded down for Callum Paterson with his back to goal and the Scot span to smash agonisingly wide from 10 yards.
And that was as good as it got in truth at both ends. But the point, the clean sheet and general improvements were steps in the right direction as the Owls signed off for the international break.
Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer, Iorfa, Ihiekwe, Bernard, James (Valentin 84), Vaulks, Byers, Paterson (Buckley 77), Gregory (Wilks 61), Smith