Sheffield Wednesday vs Queens Park Rangers. Sky Bet Championship.
HillsboroughAttendance19,233.
Wednesday 24 February 2016 11:11, UK
Promotion-chasing Sheffield Wednesday salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers to remain unbeaten at home since August.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play following an impressive strike from Daniel Tozser, but Atdhe Nuhiu, who had earlier failed from the penalty spot, equalised soon afterwards.
Wednesday were without influential Italian forward Fernando Forestieri, suspended after being sent off at the weekend. Rangers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink handed a first start to Nasser El Khayati, signed from Burton Albion at the beginning of the month.
The hosts got off to a strong start with Kieran Lee threatening in only the second minute, steering the ball just off-target after connecting with Jack Hunt's low cross.
Ross Wallace also went close, putting a 20-yard drive narrowly wide of Alex Smithies' right-hand post.
There was an anxious moment for Smithies when he spilled Aiden McGeady's high ball into the area, but he managed to gather at the second attempt.
McGeady then played a searching ball from just inside his own half to pick out Nuhiu and the big striker advanced into the right-hand side of the area before firing in a low shot parried by Smithies.
When Smithies thwarted Nuhiu again, diving bravely at his feet, the keeper required treatment before play resumed.
Wednesday had a great chance to open the scoring only three minutes after the re-start when they were awarded a penalty following Nedum Onuoha's foul on Gary Hooper inside the area, but Nuhiu's spot-kick was saved by Smithies who got down low to his left.
Rangers threatened when El Khayati's cross from the left-hand byline was just too high for Matt Phillips at the far post.
Wednesday's Barry Bannan then brought the ball down and fired in a dipping shot which was easily saved by Smithies.
The visitors took the lead when the ball was only half-cleared by the Wednesday defence and it fell to Toszer (57) who drilled a first-time shot past Keiren Westwood from inside the 'D'.
It was 1-1 just six minutes later when Daniel Pudil's cross from the left picked out Nuhiu who got between two defenders and found the net with a thumping header.
Lucas Joao, on as a substitute for Wednesday, put a header just wide.
Rangers also had a chance to snatch a winner on the break when substitute Sebastian Polter slipped the ball through to Phillips whose shot flashed wide of Westwood's near post.
The home side unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty just a couple of minutes from time when Lee went to the ground under Grant Hall's challenge.
