Carlisle United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Road to Wembley shut as Owls' Trophy dream ends

Two months ago, when Carlisle United won 1-0 at Hillsborough in the league, the Owls' season was resting on the edge of an abyss.

Home fans were chanting 'sack the board' and only a last-minute bail out by the club's major creditors, the Co-operative Bank, had averted the threat of administration.

Now, thanks to the arrival of new owner Milan Mandaric, the storm clouds have lifted and there is suddenly a rainbow in the sky – maybe even a pot of gold waiting at one end!

Former Portsmouth and Leicester City chairman Mandaric skipped this Northern Area semi-final at Brunton Park – and does not officially assume control until his 8m takeover has been ratified at an EGM on December 14.

The Serbian-born multi-millionaire plans to attend his first game when the Owls host Bristol Rovers at Hillsborough on December 11.

Perhaps his absence was a good thing for manager Alan Irvine – although the Scot should be able to bank on Mandaric's support after reviving the club's promotion push with victories in the previous six games.

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures wiped out some games last night but Cumbria somehow managed to escape the worst of the weather.

Carlisle's pitch had been protected by a thermal blanket but still showed off a light dusting of snow as the game kicked off. Pitch markings had also been cleared by groundstaff and dyed blue to improve their visibility.

The Owls last played at Wembley in the 1993 FA Cup final and Irvine underlined his desire to end that 17-year exile by fielding his strongest possible side.

Winger Jermaine Johnson was the only change to Saturday's line-up against Northampton Town, replacing the absent Gary Teale.

The Owls started brightly but found Carlisle's defence hard to penetrate.

They survived a scare in the 12th minute when Carlisle striker Gary Madine found space for a shot and Nicky Weaver blocked with his legs.

It was the first of several decent breaks by the host side whose persistence eventually paid off 15 minutes before the interval.

Winger Francois Zoko beat Weaver with a close-range header following good work down the left by Tom Taiwo. Without any doubt, Wednesday's marking should have been better.

The Owls have been scoring for fun in recent weeks, a tally of 21 goals in six games the club's best for 15 years.

But there was a serious blow for Owls just before the break when leading marksman Neil Mellor – who recently bagged hat-tricks in successive games – suffered injury following a collision with Lubo Michalik.

Mellor's right ankle looked heavily strapped as he was wheeled down the tunnel on a stretcher by staff from the St John's Ambulance.

Having been pushed forward into attack, Johnson was involved in a major controversy straight after the break.

The Jamaican was clearly pulled down in the area by Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin but referee David Webb was having none of it.

Collin had made a real hash of a clearance – allowing Johnson to take the ball around him. The goalkeeper put his arms over his opponent's shoulders in a desperate bid to prevent the equaliser, and sent Johnson crashing to the floor.

In light of Mellor's injury, it was just another sign that it was not to be Wednesday's night.

The pace provided by Johnson gave Carlisle's defence more to worry about but the home side were about to strengthen their grip on the contest.

Weaver had done well to push a shot from Ben Marshall wide but, from the subsequent corner, Michalik smashed a loose ball home.

It was suddenly 'backs to the wall' time for the Owls as Carlisle took full control. Weaver saved at point blank range from Zoko and James Berrett's follow-up was bundled wide.

The Owls were unable to stem the tide and it was no surprise when Marshall made it 3-0 with a deft lob over Weaver.

A shot from Zoko was hacked off the line by Purse as the Owls threatened to implode.

Morrison's frustration then boiled over and the striker exchanged harsh words with Marshall sparking a minor melee.

Although Purse pulled one goal back for the Owls at a corner in the closing stages, it was no more than a consolation.

With the threat of administration gone, have Wednesday's players suddenly decided to relax? That is the question waiting to be answered.

Carlisle United: Collin; Simek, Michalik, Chester, Cruise; Berrett (Robson 75), Thirlwell, Taiwo, Zoko; Madine, Marshall (Hurst 88). Unused substitutes: Curran, Caig, Eastham.

Sheffield Wednesday: Weaver; Spurr, Purse, Beevers, Jones; Sedgwick (Heffernan 67), Potter, Miller, Johnson (O'Connor 80); Mellor (Coke 45), Morrison. Unused substitutes: Hinds, Jameson.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).