Ugbo keeps Owls in hunt to survive

DANNY ROHL says his Sheffield Wednesday team are the “hunters” in the relegation battle – despite teams around them winning.

In-form Ike Ugbo’s strike gave Wednesday a vital win while relegation rivals Stoke, QPR and Millwall all also triumphed.

Canada forward Ugbo’s sixth goal in five games again highlighted his importance and saw off a battling display by bottomplaced club Rotherham.

The Owls have won now four out of five including three in a row.

Rohl said: “You can say the others won but they will also see that we won.

“We are the hunter at the moment. We are on the front foot and have momentum.”

Wednesday had dominated the first half and Ugbo was denied early on by a vital block from Cameron Humphreys.

Owls defender Akin Famewo then had a powerful headed goal controversially disallowed for offside after an impressive free-kick from Will Vaulks.

Rohl added: “I heard it was not offside but I am not sure.” The visitors found the second half tougher but finally struck when Dominic Iorfa delivered for Ugbo to steer in.

Wednesday captain Barry Bannan then came to the rescue by clearing an effort from Andy Rinomhota off the line.

It could have been 2-0 in injury time, though, but Mallik Wilks’ diving header hit the post.

Rotherham have lost seven in a row but boss Leam Richardson said: “I’m gutted for the fans really, when it’s a derby.

“The goal’s horrendous from our point of view.” ROTHERHAM: Johansson 7; Peltier 6 (Lindsay (53) 6), Odoffin 6, Humphreys 7; Tiehi 6; Kioso 5, Rinomhota 6, Clucas 6 (Appiah (81) 6), Ferguson 5 (Cafu (67) 6); Eaves 7 (Hugill (67) 7), Nombe 5 (Wyke (67) 6) SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Beadle 6; Valentin 7 (Iorfa (64) 7), Palmer 6, Ihiekwe 6, Famewo 7, Johnson 7; Poveda 7 (Gassama (64) 7), Bannan 7, Vaulks 7 (Smith (63) 6), Musaba 6 (Diaby (80) 6); Ugbo 7 (Wilks (90) 6) STAR MAN: Barry Bannan – Heroic clearance off the line to stop equaliser. REF: David Webb 5