A late strike from Leon Best handed Sheffield Wednesday victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough this evening.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the 15th minute when Jake Forster-Caskey lifted a cross into the box from a corner and David Rodriguez headed at goal, only to see his effort smack off the crossbar.
Wednesday tried to press and Jeremy Helan had their best attempt after 20 minutes when he collected a long ball and drove at the Brighton defence, but he fired his shot over the bar.
After a bright start from both teams, neither was able to carve out any clear-cut opportunities before the break as quality was lacking in the final third at Hillsborough.
Following the half-time break, Brighton came out the better side and could have taken the lead when Forster-Caskey released Will Buckley down the middle, but he was denied by Chris Kirkland's save.
The Wednesday keeper was in fine form to deny Jesse Lingard as he fired an effort from distance, but Kirkland was able to hold the ball to keep his side level.
Stuart Gray's side then had an excellent chance of their own when Benik Afobe found space inside the box, but he saw his effort saved by Tomasz Kuszczak, while Liam Palmer put the rebound over.
Wednesday got their winner late in the game on counter-attack. Best drove into the box and fired a low shot which beat the outstretched hand of Kuszczak and nestled in the corner.
Simon Sinclair
