DEFIANT DARREN’S OWLS LOOK DOOMED

DARREN MOORE insisted

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY would fight on but the survival odds are stacked against them after a 2-0 home defeat by SWANSEA. Jamal Lowe’s 13th goal of the season helped push the Welsh club up to third, seven points behind second-placed Watford. But a third defeat in four leaves the Owls second-bottom, seven points adrift of safety with five games to go — and on the brink of the third tier for the first time since 2012. Head coach Moore returned to the touchline after missing three games with Covid. Yet he was unable to inspire his side and the 46-year-old said: ‘The lads are disappointed but we have to keep going. Three points are there for us on Saturday and we can’t focus any further than that. I’ll not allow any player to look at it differently.’ After Freddie Woodman had saved brilliantly to deny Liam Shaw, Lowe fired home from close range when Andre Ayew outmuscled Tom Lees to put the opener on a plate. Jay Fulton headed the second from substitute Connor Roberts’ 73rd-minute cross and Swansea head coach Steve Cooper said: ‘That’s two positive away results on the bounce and we hope to maintain momentum going into the final games.’

BOURNEMOUTH tightened their grip on a play-off place with a 2-1 success at HUDDERSFIELD. A crisp finish from ex-Terriers man Philip Billing opened Bournemouth’s account, then Dominic Solanke’s thunderous strike doubled the advantage. Skipper Jonathan Hogg replied.

ROTHERHAM roared back to beat QPR 3-1 after Lyndon Dykes struck for the visitors. Freddie Ladapo netted twice and Michael Smith sealed the win.