Huddersfield Town 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Lucas Joao's introduction pivotal as Owls enjoy derby delight at Town

The Argentinian striker grabbed his 14th goal of the season in the 83rd minute to claim all three points against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.

The result saw Wednesday leapfrog Derby County in the table, but Forestieri was just relieved to win after the two sides had cancelled each other out for the majority of this contest.

It took the introduction of Portuguese international Lucas Joao as a late substitute to create the winner, a sublime pass leaving Forestieri with a far-post tap-in.

“It was a very hard win because Huddersfield defended well, both in midfield and attack, so we were similar teams,” said Forestieri.

“When I scored we were lucky, because they could have scored as well. We need to improve and every game we learn something new.

“I am so happy, but if it wasn’t for my team-mates I would not score so I want to say thank you to them.

“If Lucas didn’t run for me, or I run for him, I would not have scored.”

Owls’ head coach Carlos Carvalhal believes Forestieri – and the majority of his Owls team-mates – are having the best season of their careers.

That is reflected in Wednesday being among the top three scorers in the division, complementing a defence which boasts 15 clean sheets, just two shy of equalling a club record number of shut-outs.

“It’s not just Fernando having his best season, I believe Gary Hooper is also,” said Carvalhal, who was without key trio Barry Bannan (suspended), Daniel Pudil (leg) and Sam Hutchinson (fever) at Town. “I was looking at the profile of the players and most of them are having the best season of their careers.

“So of course we are happy. We have a dynamic that works. The players understand it’s all about teamwork, to win we must play together.

“If you act as individuals, maybe one player can win a game, but you will win absolutely nothing.

“We don’t care too much about clean sheets, we care about scoring goals.

“Our players were amazing because they did exactly what we planned. We had to wait for our moment, the players were fantastic in the plan we created.”

Two teams placing the emphasis on playing neat, passing football in possession – and closing down and pressing without the ball – meant chances were at a premium.

Harry Bunn fizzed his effort wide of Keiren Westwood’s goal, and Ross Wallace’s deflected free-kick was well-saved by Jed Steer in the home goal.

That was about as good it got in the first half, and you got the feeling the first goal was always going to be the match-winner.

Aiden McGeady, on loan from Everton, had a quiet game for the Owls but went closest to breaking the stalemate.

Wednesday right-back Jack Hunt – jeered all game by home supporters on his return to former club Terriers – chipped in a cross, which eventually came out to McGeady.

He took time to measure his shot before firing through a crowd of bodies from eight yards out only to be denied by Joel Lynch, who headed off the line.

But the winner came with the clock running down, on 83 minutes, and it was the introduction of strike duo Atdhe Nuhiu and Joao as substitutes that played a key role.

Nuhiu – on for Gary Hooper – slipped in Joao, and the young striker raced away down the left flank.

But instead of trying to beat Steer from a tight angle, he curled in a teasing cross, which Forestieri tucked away at the far post in front of the 4,000 travelling Owls fans.

Town were adamant they were denied a late penalty when Philip Billing’s header was blocked on the line by Kieran Lee, claiming it was handball.

Town right-back Tommy Smith said: “One hundred per cent it was a penalty.

“I was right in line of it, it hit the lad on the hand, but the referee didn’t see it.

“We know the refs have a hard job, but it’s difficult to take when you are 1-0 down and it’s right near the end.

“It’s really frustrating. There is only so many times we can play well in games and not get the results that we want.”

If that decision went against Town, they could have been down to 10 men when Mark Hudson –who had already been booked in the 44th minute – fouled Forestieri early in the second half.

He was let-off with a warning by referee Iain Williamson, but two minutes later Hudson was substituted by head coach David Wagner.

“I think it was very clear that if there was another situation where ‘Huddy’ was involved, the referee would send him off,” Wagner explained.

“We wanted to make sure we would end this game playing 11 v 11 and that is why we made the substitution.”