The outstanding Lee Grant prevented Blues taking all three points with three top class saves as Roy Keane's side were left frustrated again.

The Wednesday 'keeper kept out Lee Martin's first-half strike then denied Jon Stead and Alan Quinn after the break as Blues looked the more likely to take all three points.

Tamas Priskin did have the ball in the net but it was righty ruled out for offside as Town continued as the pools punters' pick with a fifth draw in six games.

Owen Garvan returned to the Town side for the first time in three months, with Martin starting in an attacking role. Stead and Quinn dropped to the bench in the two changes from the draw at Reading.

David Wright tested Grant with an ambitious effort from distance, Grant Leadbitter then releasing Tamas Priskin whose shot lacked power.

Frank Simek picked up the first of three yellow cards for Wednesday in the opening half with a wild challenge on Carlos Edwards, Leadbitter's free-kick held well by Grant at his nearpost.

Damien Delaney fired over from 30 yards, Richard Hinds beating Priskin to Jon Walters' cross as Town had the better of the early exchanges.
Wednesday had their first chance of note on 20 minutes, Jermaine Johnson cutting inside Wright but sending his hurried shot straight at Asmir Begovic.

Hinds and then Lewis Buxton followed Simek into referee Andy D'Urso's book before Grant was in action again, springing to his right to save at full length from Martin's 20 yard strike. At the other Begovic beat out Marcus Tudgay's shot after Luke Varney's knockdown.

Grant was the busier of the two 'keepers and had to be alert to smother the danger from Walters' cross, Carlos Edwards then volleying over the bar in the last opening of the first 45 minutes.

Leadbitter had a free-kick cleared, then sent a 20 yarder just wide while it needed an excellent tackle from Liam Rosenior to block Johnson getting a shot in during a lively opening to the second-half.

Simek and Johnson combined well but Town got bodies in the way to smother the shot then Tudgay couldn't get on the end of Michael Gray's cross.
Town made a double change before the hour, the injured Alex Bruce replaced by Gareth McAuley, Quinn on for Martin. Johnson making way for Leon Clarke in Wednesday's first change.

Garvan forced Grant into a save low down to his right, the Irishman then setting up Walters who didn't get any real contact on the ball eight yards out.
Garvan and Priskin linked up well to send Quinn in on goal in the clearest opening of the game but Grant denied the former Wednesday midfielder, Leadbitter's corner then scrambled clear off the line after the Owls' keeper had been deceived.

Stead replaced Walters on 75 minutes and within seconds could have put Blues ahead, Grant saving well again to his left. Priskin did have the ball in the net from Edwards' cross moments later but not before the offside flag was raised.

Excellent defending from McAuley prevented Clarke getting a shot in on goal, James O'Connor firing wide from Tudgay's flick as the game ended in stalemate, leaving Town unbeaten in six but frustrated at the final whistle.

Town: Begovic, Rosenior, Bruce (McAuley 57), Delaney, D.Wright, Walters (Stead 75), Leadbitter, Garvan, Edwards, Priskin, Martin (Quinn 57). Subs not used: R.Wright, Peters, Trotter, Wickham.

Sheff Wed: Grant, Simek, Buxton, Hinds, Spurr, Johnson (Clarke 60), Potter, O'Connor, Gray, Varney, Tudgay. Subs not used: O'Donnell, Purse, McAllister, Jeffers, Esajas, Beevers. Booked: Simek, Hinds, Buxton.
Att: 19,636