WICKHAM ARRIVES LATE TO SALVAGE A POINT

CONNOR WICKHAM left it late to score his first goal for Sheffield Wednesday – and hit Nottingham Forest’s promotion hopes.

It had looked as though Joe Lolley had scored a real smashand-grab goal in the 69th minute, looking set to break the hearts of the Owls, who had just missed an absolute sitter.

All that Jordan Rhodes had to do was nod home from close range but his header banged against a post, and Kieran Lee’s effort from a rebound was blocked and cleared.

Then came Lolley’s stunning strike when he latched on to a long ball out from the back. The winger took the ball on the move and unleashed a sublime volley that had ‘goal’ written on as soon as it left his boot. It looked bleak for Wednesday, but Wickham made his presence count in the third minute of added-on time.

A troubling cross from substitute Alessio Da Cruz came Wickham’s way and the bustling striker headed home powerfully.

It was no less than Wednesday deserved and boss Garry Monk said: “I was disappointed we didn’t get all three points. We controlled the game and I was pleased.

“The commitment and attitude of my players was excellent. We had to fight hard for what we got, but this performance is a positive.” The

SHEFF WED hosts’ much-changed line-up took the game to Forest from the start.

Wickham put over a telling cross that tested keeper Brice Samba, and minutes later Kadeem Harris showed his menace when he won the ball from Matty Cash.

Harris spotted Massimo Luongo in space and set him up for the Australian to drill a fierce shot goalwards, only for it be deflected.

Still the Owls showed spirit as they settled into the eerie silence better than Forest at this point.

Forest were forced on the defensive again when Barry Bannan put through recalled Rhodes, who faced a one-onit

N FOREST one with Samba, who did well to block the striker’s effort.

Then, at last, Forest got into gear up front, with Lolley causing the danger on three separate occasions and eventually scoring his belter.

Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi said: “It is not an easy place to come to, even without a crowd.

“We were a bit tired towards the end. That’s when we gave them a chance to get their goal.”