TAME LIONS GET HIT BY A BANN

Rare Barry blockbuster and Lees effort gets Owls’ season flying at last

BARRY BANNAN got his first league goal for almost two years to ease the pressure on Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay.

The Scotland midfielder has found the net just four times in more than 100 games for the Owls but when he does strike, it is invariably a cracker.

And last night was no exception with Bannan’s 16th-minute thunderbolt from the edge of the box leaving keeper Jordan Archer clutching thin air after Millwall had failed to clear Adam Reach’s cross.

Luhukay had gambled by axing fans’ favourite Fernando Forestieri and throwing in the kids, but it did the trick as Wednesday got off the mark in the league at the fourth attempt.

Captain Tom Lees was on the end of a Bannan free-kick just 38 seconds after the restart to drill home at the far post, but Ryan Tunnicliffe ensured a nervy finish, pulling a goal back for the Lions with 18 minutes left.

Below-par Millwall had looked nothing like a team who had lost just twice in the Championship since New Year’s Day, but Lee Gregory seized on Lees’ weak header to set up Tunnicliffe who finished smartly.

Then the Owls’ goal survived a mass scramble in the dying seconds as the Londoners piled forward.

Wednesday should have been further ahead before the break.

Joey Pelupessy’s 30 yarder flew inches over and Fraser Preston was also close from distance.

But Wednesday’s best chance fell to Jordan Thorniley in first-half injury-time.

However, from just two yards out, he somehow headed Bannan’s free-kick across the face of goal.

After Millwall had reduced the deficit, Wednesday substitute Atdhe

Nuhiu should have restored the two-goal cushion on 87 minutes, but he shot wide at the far post.

WE’RE UP AND AWAY Wednesday have had to wait for three points, but Bannan (right) and Lees sealed the win