Wednesday and Stoke played out a relegation stalemate on a weekend of Championship upsets that did neither side no favours.
Substitute Luke Cundle broke S6 hearts to cancel out Liam Palmer’s opener and ensure the points were shared at Hillsborough.
But with Plymouth, Blackburn, Birmingham and Huddersfield all springing surprises, the draw leaves the Owls rooted in the bottom three – and Stoke only just ahead.
The hosts created a raft of chances from the first whistle but a combination of fine goalkeeping, stout defending and the woodwork kept the score goalless at the break.
Wednesday flew out of the traps and were somehow kept at bay in a frantic opening.
Daniel Iversen saved superbly after a teasing Josh Windass cross found Iké Ugbo at the back post and Tyrese Campbell cleared Michael Ihiekwe’s header off the line from the resulting corner.
It was all Wednesday and Michael Smith rattled the crossbar from close range before the same player did have the ball in the net moments later only for the referee to blow for an infringement.
Stoke weathered the storm and crept back into the contest but James Beadle was not troubled through a one-sided first half.
Pol Valentin fired over the top and Smith was inches away from a deep Marvin Johnson corner, with the only thing missing for the Owls a goal.
The Potters pushed out in the early throes of the second period and carved a couple of half chances, the best of which was a Lewis Baker free-kick that fizzed past Beadle’s post.
Wednesday hit back with a set piece of their own from which Ihiekwe was just off target – before the breakthrough came on 69 minutes.
Barry Bannan delivered a looping cross that fell kindly to Palmer, who belted past Iversen on the half volley to send Hillsborough into raptures.
But the joy lasted only six minutes before Stoke were level. Wednesday were hit on the counter as Campbell played a reverse ball to Cundle, who drew Beadle from his line on the angle and found the far corner.
That took the wind from Wednesday’s sails and the remainder of the contest was relatively equal.
Both teams pushed for a winner and had chances to seal the points – Bae hit a fierce drive inside the box that smashed against teammate Cundle before Josh Laurent cleared a Paterson header from his line right underneath the crossbar.
Wednesday: Beadle, Valentin (Musaba 90), Ihiekwe, Famewo, Johnson, Vaulks, Bannan, Palmer (Cadamarteri 90), Windass (Paterson 67), Smith (Gassama 83), Ugbo (Musaba 90)
