Returning loanee Jonny Williams struck four minutes after coming off the bench to claim a 1-1 draw for the Blues at Sheffield Wednesday. The Crystal Palace man, making his second Town debut, half-volleyed home in the 63rd minute, Atdhe Nuhiu having put the Owls ahead in the fifth minute.

Cole Skuse, who missed the weekend victory over Rotherham with a toe injury, and the rested Teddy Bishop returned in place of Kevin Bru and Paul Anderson, who both dropped to the bench, in an otherwise unchanged team.

New loan signing Jonny Williams was on the bench as manager Mick McCarthy continued with his three-man Irish-qualifying strike force of David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy and Conor Sammon in front of watching Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill.

After a quiet opening spell Wednesday threatened first in the fifth minute when the ball was laid across to Chris Maguire, who hit a low shot from just outside the area which Dean Gerken did well to save down to his right, Jonny Parr putting the loose ball behind for a corner.

And from the flag-kick the Owls went in front. Jacques Maghoma whipped the ball over from the left and big Austrian striker Nuhiu flicked a near-post header into the roof of the net giving Gerken no chance.

The Blues, wearing their orange away kit, looked to get back on terms quickly, Lewis Buxton doing well to dispossess Sammon when the striker looked to have got in behind him.

After Chris Maguire had scraped a shot wide for the Owls, McGoldrick tried to work himself some space on the right of the Wednesday penalty area but shot weakly to one-time Town target Keiren Westwood in the home goal.

Wednesday thought they’d doubled their lead in the 24th minute, again from a corner, this time on the right. Nuhiu powered a header goalwards and Gerken did superbly to stick out a hand to stop it. Kamil Zayatte was first to the loose ball and hit the back of the net but referee Darren Bond disallowed the goal, apparently for a push.

It was a lucky escape for the Blues, who were finding 6ft 6in tall Nuhiu very difficult to deal with from set pieces. On 27 Gerken palmed away a Mahoma corner from the left, not entirely comfortably.

A minute later, Westwood appeared to handle outside the area to his left as he beat Sammon to the ball but referee Bond felt otherwise.

Wednesday were forced into a substitution in the 39th minute when centre-half Zayatte suffered what looked to be a hamstring injury, Claude Dielna taking over.

Town were continuing to have most of the ball but without creating anything in front of goal. On 43 Luke Hyam hit a shot from the edge of the box which Westwood claimed at the second attempt but which should have been easy for the Irish international keeper.

The Blues carved out their first real chance in the final scheduled minute. Mings sent over a cross from the left and Murphy rose high to nod it only just beyond Westwood’s right post.

At the other end, Gerken did well to save Maguire’s powerful low strike before Murphy had another opportunity. This time Hyam crossed from the left and the Irish striker nodded over while stretching to reach the ball. Sammon behind him might have been better placed to add the final touch.

The half ended soon afterwards with the Blues still trailing by Nuhiu’s early goal. Town had enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession throughout the half but without creating anything of note until the two late chances.

Murphy will feel he should have scored the first, while Sammon may well have been better able to finish the second had his fellow striker realised he was behind him.

Wednesday had offered little in open play aside from a few distance efforts from Maguire, but always looked a danger from set pieces with the Blues having trouble coping with scorer Nuhiu’s aerial threat.

McGoldrick smashed an ambitious early second-half strike into the Town supporters behind the goal before Wednesday saw a second goal disallowed, again from a set piece. Nuhiu was found by a freekick from deep and forced Gerken to block his first effort before putting the rebound in the net, but with the linesman’s flag already raised.

New Blues loan signing Jonny Williams was already stripped and ready for action by that stage and in the 58th minute the Crystal Palace man - having swapped his named and numbered shirt for a blank one - replaced Bishop in the Town midfield.

And only four minutes after coming on the Wales international levelled the scores. After Wednesday had failed to clear following a couple of earlier attempts, he deftly chested the ball down and half-volleyed past Westwood to his right off the post before sliding on his knees in front of the Blues support in celebration.

Town immediately went looking for a second, Sammon shooting well wide, before Wednesday went somewhat closer, Maguire’s low strike deflecting only just past Gerken’s right post.

Soon after, Maguire picked up the game’s first booking for a cynical foul on Williams on halfway as the Blues scorer broke.

Anderson replaced Sammon for the final 15 minutes, then Stevie May flicked a header wide from Maghoma’s cross as Wednesday enjoyed a spell in the ascendency.

Town carved out an opportunity from a Parr throw on the right in the 84th minute, Skuse threading in the Norwegian on the right from where he cut the ball back to Anderson whose low cross was intercepted with a shot perhaps a better option.

Anderson came close to creating a goal for Berra two minutes later, the Scotland international heading the winger’s freekick not far over.

With two minutes remaining Williams was replaced by Kevin Bru, the goalscorer having drifted out of the game, presumably due to injury. Neither side threatened again before referee Bond brought the evening to an end.

Despite the winning run having come to an end, Mick McCarthy probably won’t be too disappointed with a draw which extends Town’s unbeaten run to six games, particularly having gone behind so early on.

The Blues, while not at their best, were worthy of the point via Williams’s perhaps inevitable goal with the Town looking at their most dangerous during his time on the field.

Berra might have won it with his header late on but on balance the draw was probably a fair reflection of a not overly enthralling game.

The results sees Town stay fifth at the end of a September in which they have been unbeaten and have taken 13 points from a possible 15.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Buxton, Mattock, Loovens (c), Zayatte (Dielna 39), Semedo, Palmer, Maghoma (Drenthe 82), Maguire (Helan 73), Nuhiu, May. Unused: Kirkland, Coke, Hope, Madine.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings, Berra, Chambers (c), Skuse, Hyam, Bishop (Williams 58 (Bru 88), McGoldrick, Murphy, Sammon (Anderson 75). Unused: Bialkowski, Smith, Bajner, Tabb. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). Att: 18,093.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 22:18 - Sep 30 Personally feel Wednesday have started the season ok and seem to be a better team than last season (probably won't be a relegation candidate) so I feel a point is quite reasonable - making it 5 in a row would have been outstanding but never mind. Fantastic that Joniesta scores within minutes of coming on but just hope he hasn't picked up an injury as he's only just got over a lengthy period out, fingers crossed. Big game against Forest Saturday who have been a bit flat of recent weeks - so maybe if there's a time to beat them away then maybe now is it.

2

boysinblue added 22:24 - Sep 30 Fantastic stuff, unbeaten in six! Get a point at forest and i think we'll prove what contenders we are for promotion. Sounds like we were the better side tonight too.
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Tractamatt added 22:28 - Sep 30 Excellent, good away point and unbeaten in 6 games with 4 wins. So moaners, moan away, it is your right but with the run we're on don't you feel like your being a bit....peculiar?
2

osborne added 22:28 - Sep 30 Wednesday are 4 points off top after tonights result. A point at Hillsboro is promotion form. And we're only 2! COYB
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blueboy1981 added 22:33 - Sep 30 .......... let's not keep congratulating for everything little thing - and press on for more points shall we ? That way we may just have something to celebrate later on in the Season.
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Tractor_Boy_7 added 22:34 - Sep 30 Can see why Sammon played today, last two games he's been pretty good. Today was not good from him though and I wouldn't be surprised to see him dropped for Forest. Much better option than Nouble so I think Sammon now seems quite a decent acquisition. Thought today we started hoofing it a bit more even though we had the quality to get it down on the ground and play how we wanted. Defence solid, Bishop and Hyam decent and Skuse off the pace the bit but not poor. Williams goal was class. Very happy with a point, could have gone either way!

1

muccletonjoe added 22:34 - Sep 30 This league looks likely to be closer than ever this season. Every point will count.
2

GiveusaWave added 22:38 - Sep 30 Shame to see so many people here happy with mediocrity. As blueboy has pointed out, we needed to win a game like this. Wednesday are NOT a top team in this division. If we want glory we need to aim high, a point sadly missed by some of the readers on this site. Sammon is not a high achiever. I assume with so many minuses on my previous post that you are all saying he is good enough for our club and you are happy with his performance. Either that or you are saying that you would rather have a draw than a win. Or alternatively you are saying that you are not happy with me praising Berra and Williams? One of these points has to be logically correct...which one is it?

-9

lonelyblue added 22:39 - Sep 30 Blueboy, would it kill you to say something, anything, positive? Maybe not the best night to ask, but could you? Go on. Just a little smile.....
5

Foreverdon_Blue added 22:43 - Sep 30 A very good away point especially after going behind so early!
0

Stato added 22:43 - Sep 30 Slightly concerned that mick has just replaced an injured Tabb with a bigger version of almost the same thing. I am really hoping that Cameron Stewart can get fit sooner rather than later.
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TimmyH added 22:48 - Sep 30 If we are to be genuine candidates for the play-offs this season then 1. we mustn't drop points at home to struggling teams and more importantly 2. have to win on a more consistent basis away from home than last seasons 6 games. If we lose at Forest on Sunday will we think a point was good tonight?...sounded like again wasn't a fantastic performance so a point is commendable.

4

Surco72 added 22:54 - Sep 30 Think this Is a good away point especially for a mid week travel. Good to keep unbeaten run going and confidence in team , MM set his team up to win with his selection so anyone moaning after this result really are not being fair or realistic , we have closed points to the top of the table . COYB
1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 23:47 - Sep 30 Blueboy - so bohslegend saying " quality point " is euphoric???? We have just taken 14 out of the last 18 points, for Christ sake cheer up
8

runningout added 00:56 - Oct 1 few tetchy individuals about... Looking forward to a tricky game v Forest
0

rosseden added 01:31 - Oct 1 forest games on a sunday as County are also at home this weekend and both teams cant play on the same day
0

oddball added 08:03 - Oct 1 People, stop biting at the wind up merchants, just ignore them :-). Great result, awesome september.
4

NoelTheDub added 08:30 - Oct 1 bohslegend As your happy pills are out again and your getting your usual 20 likes can I say of course im happy with our recent results and give credit when i think its due but as a big critic of some of MM team selections or tactics I have to say it took him a long time to do what myself and others where sayin was get chambers out of full back play Parr, break up if you can the Skuse and Hynm midfield play young Bishop orJonny now,drop Tabb and get rid of Nouble and by doing some of those things we would be more balanced and be more of a threat.Mick did some of this and i believe thats where our good results have come from.I still rest my case on Salmon who i think is at best a bench player but we are not going to be perfect.

3

IvorFeeling added 08:31 - Oct 1 Great September but not looking forward to Sunday as the Football League will no doubt kill any chance we have by awarding MM a deserved manager of the month award! COYB
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 09:16 - Oct 1 Noel I think what you dont appricate is the time it takes to do these things. Mick could not be as expansive with the style or as ambitious with his selection last year because he did not have the personnel. Building a team takes time, especially when purse strings are tight. It's not as simple as do this do that. You have to sign the right players, get them thinking and playing in a certain way etc. Last year we didnt have a rb capable at champ level so chambo had to play there. We didnt have such an attak minded midfield so it picked itself. Its clearly staged as I said it would be when mick joined. 1. Sort defence, make us hard to beat, save us from relegation and ensure we dont get in a scrap like that agin whilst hes here. 2 sort MF, get more options to allow him more tactical options and start better servw the front men. 3 and the next stage get more stenghth in depth up fron to offe more options if Didz and Murph are having a bad day. Ts not realy as easy as waving a magic wand is it. All v well saying he should do this or that but its easier saod than done. 2 years ago Mick took over a team bottom of the champ, devoid of confidence and with its soul missing and residing somewhere up Roy Keanes a**e. 2 seasons later he presents a team that on current form are play off contenders at least and playing with confidence and pride. We have already won games that we would have drawn or lost last season, were what 2 points of top but thats not good enough is it. Only winning al 46 3-0 home or away is acceptable to you and that as we all know is impossible so rather than credit where its due its more like whinging for the sake of it. Christ even Blueboys cheered up a bit. Perhaps we will look at the end of the season and say thank god (sir Bobby) we came from behind to pick up an away point at Hillsborough. The problem with modern football is even those who have apparently been watching down 40 odd years and do nothing but harp back to the good old days and remember a time when managers could actually build a team expect instant success when history shows unless millions upon millions id lavished it simply dosnt come and even then an Influx of too many players disjoints a side, spurs last year, liverpool this. So rather than act like a 3 year old, I want I want I want why not look on the brightside for a change, you might find yourself happier as a result and be suprised to find people find you much more approachable in everyday life as a result.

12

PJH added 09:46 - Oct 1 Point gained from going behind as at Birmingham and at Derby.Would be a better idea not to go behind but the fact that we come back from these situation shows a lot of spirit.Did not think we played too well last night but Gerks is looking pretty good at the moment.Will need to play better on sunday and hopefully this time score first.
0

Langdon_Blue added 09:56 - Oct 1 2 points off of the top after 10 games. I think everyone associated with Ipswich must be pleased with that start to the season. To coin a McCarthy phrase 'some people won't be happy with 1-1 at Hillsborough...some people can **** off!'
7

warktheline added 11:35 - Oct 1 Forever don blue, sorry, pressed wrong button.
0

blue added 11:49 - Oct 1 Weldone lads. Hard earned point but shows we have that fighting comeback spirit ,definately on the improvement.Sheff wed are improving hence there position aswell.Forest are struggling at present a point or more would be good.The best thing though CANARIES ARENT SINGING ALOUD TODAY HAHA.
2

casanovacrow added 14:18 - Oct 1 Cant win them all, especially away from home.
2

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