BOOTH EARNS OWLS A POINT
Georgian international Temur Ketsbaia had given the home side the lead, but Andy Booth`s second half header resulted in the points being shared.
The game started amidst high drama, with Kevin Pressman being dismissed after just 13 seconds.
The burly shot stopper rashly rushed from his box and handled a goal-bound effort from Ketsbaia, after excellent work from Kevin Muscat, and referee Mark Halcey had no option but to brandish a red card.
Wednesday boss Paul Jewell had to rapidly reshuffle his pack and Richard Cresswell was the man who was sacrificed in order to allow replacement keeper, 17-year-old Chris Stringer, to take the field.
This caps an unhappy week for former York City striker Cresswell, after his proposed move to Preston fell through due to a wrangle over money.
With their physical advantage, Wolves poured men forward and the inevitable breakthrough came on 18 minutes, when the impressive Ketsbaia fired a rocket into the top right-hand corner following a clever free-kick routine.
The home side nearly doubled their lead moments later, when an Andy Sinton cross took a wicked deflection and cannoned onto the post, but Michael Branch could not convert the rebound.
Former Newcastle man Ketsbaia was at the heart of all things good about Wolves` play and he made a dazzling run that brought his side a free-kick on the edge of the area.
The Georgian forward hammered the ball past Stringer but, instead of celebrating his second goal, he had to bite his tongue after the referee had already blown for encroachment by Alan Quinn.
Quinn`s aberration saw him receive a yellow card and the free-kick was moved forward, but Wolves could not take advantage as Ketsbaia fired the ball wide.
The Owls made their first major foray in injury time, when Gilles de Bilde fired in a fierce low drive that was well saved by Michael Oakes and Quinn`s follow up effort was cleared by Jolean Lescott.
The second-half did not start with the intensity of the first and this appeared to allow the Owls to settle, but they failed to threaten the Wolves goal and a midfield stalemate ensued.
The second period came to life on 58 minutes, when Michael Branch thought he had doubled the lead but he was flagged for offside prior to tapping Darren Bazeley`s knock down home.
Wednesday boss Jewell made changes and the introduction of Michele di Piedi proved to be the catalyst for a revival.
The young Italian nearly scored on 77 minutes, but his touch was poor and Muscat cleared to safety.
However, from the resultant corner Andy Booth dived in bravely amongst the studs to thunder a header home.
This goal will be a double-blow to Wolves boss Colin Lee, after he tried to sign Booth in the close season but refused his pay demands.
Both sides showed attacking vigour to try and clinch a win, but could not find the penetration required to claim all three points.
