Sheffield Wednesday 1 Middlesbrough 2 - Boro ensure Championship survival as Owls face nervous wait for outcome of disciplinary hearing

After falling behind in their final outing of the season to Jacob Murphy’s 10th-minute opener, Paddy McNair and a late striker from Britt Assombalonga snatched all three points for Neil Warnock’s side.

Given their superior goal difference over Luton Town, who occupied the final relegation place ahead of kick-off, Boro knew that one point would be enough to guarantee their survival.

But they took all three when Assombalonga found himself free in the Wednesday box in stoppage time to turn and fire his shot in via the hand of Joe Wildsmith.

Meanwhile, things will not be so comfortable for Sheffield Wednesday who are not yet safe despite finishing eight points ahead of 22nd-placed Charlton Athletic.

The Owls were charged by the EFL in November over the sale and lease-back of Hillsborough to their owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The move meant they were able to avoid breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules, which was allowed under the governing body’s laws.

The hearing by an independent panel was into the precise circumstances and timing of the move, with Wednesday calling the charge “unlawful”.

The case was heard late last month, but there has been no indication as to when the outcome may be revealed.

If found guilty, Wednesday could face a deduction of up to 21 points but it has not been clarified if that will be applied this season or next. Whatever the outcome, they are likely to appeal the decision if found guilty.

Wednesday took the lead at a mild and fan-less Hillsborough when Murphy’s shot looped over Dejan Stojanovic.

Just a few minutes prior, Middlesbrough had come close to hitting the front when Paddy McNair crashed a shot off the post from the edge of the box.

The Northern Ireland international had his goal immediately before the first drinks break when the hosts carelessly gave away possession to Ashley Fletcher. The Boro striker drove forward and found Marcus Tavernier on his left who cut the ball back to McNair to firmly place it into the bottom corner.

Warnock had wanted clarification before the contest on Wigan Athletic’s pending 12-point deduction after the Latics entered administration on July 1. The Lancashire club were officially hit with the 12-point penalty, subject to appeal, following last night’s final round of Championship fixtures which saw them drop into the bottom three after a 1-1 home draw with Fulham.

Boro’s win means they will not have to await the outcome of any hearings, as they will be a Championship club next season regardless. It has been a difficult second half of the season for Wednesday, who were play-off contenders at the turn of the year after they won 2-0 at Leeds United – who have been promoted as champions – on January 11, which moved them up to sixth.

However, following that victory, results do not make good reading as the Owls have won just three of their last 19 matches.

Middlesbrough have been in fine form away from home since Warnock’s arrival, winning four of their five fixtures on the road.

Monk swung the axe as he made six changes to the side that were beaten 5-3 at Fulham with Liam Palmer, Kieran Lee, Murphy, Atdhe Nuhiu, Connor Wickham and Liam Shaw named in the starting line-up. Warnock opted for three changes to the side that were beaten 3-1 by Cardiff City. Stojanovic, McNair and Assombalonga – who has now scored five goals since the restart – all returned to the side. The first half of Wednesday evening’s contest saw plenty of chances, with both sides careless in possession and plenty of space in between the lines.

Both sides had chances to win it in the final quarter when Assombalonga slotted wide from Marvin Johnson’s cut back and at the other end, Murphy put an effort wide when he found himself unmarked from 10 yards out.

It was a moment the Owls would live to regret as Assombalonga struck with virtually the last kick of the season to win it.

Sheffield Wednesday: Wildsmith; Iorfa, Lee (Reach 80), Palmer; Murphy, Shaw (Luongo 52), Bannan, Lees, Harris; Nuhiu (Windass 73), Wickham. Unused substitutes: Rhodes; Pelupesy, Odubajo, Dawson, Hunt, Da Cruz.

Middlesbrough: Stojanovic; Johnson, Friend, Fry, Dijksteel; McNair, Saville; Tavernier (Coulson 79); Fletcher, Spence; Assombalonga. Unused substitutes: Roberts, Nmecha, Wood-Gordon, Wing, Pears.

Referee: Jared Gillett