Sheffield Wednesday 2 Carlisle United 1: Antonio is shouldering a heavy burden of expectation for Owls

Doctors say the winger may have a sprained shoulder but, even if things get far, far worse, he will not be allowed to miss the make-or-break trip to Brentford.

Antonio is a player who, potentially, could make the difference between the Owls going up or staying down this season.

His stoppage-time winner against Carlisle United on Saturday put the Owls firmly back in the hunt for automatic promotion as the victory closed the gap on second-placed Sheffield United to just one point with two to play.

His stunning 20-yard drive from the corner of the penalty area sparked joyous scenes at Hillsborough but, amid the euphoria, team-mate Nile Ranger jumped on his shoulders.

The winger, who is on loan from Reading, had already been in a fair amount of pain after falling heavily under pressure from Carlisle midfield player Liam Noble.

The last thing he needed at that stage was a 6ft striker pinning him to the deck.

“When Nile jumped on my shoulder, it hit me right on the spot – that’s why I crumbled to the floor and I started screaming ‘my shoulder, my shoulder’,” he said.

“It was killing me before that and I had been trying to run with one arm,” he said. “But I just couldn’t carry on after that.”

Asked whether he would be fit for the Brentford game, Antonio said: “I don’t think I have any choice really. The physio says ‘even if your arm falls off you are going to be ready for the next game’.”

His goal was unquestionably one of the biggest moments in this season’s promotion race.

It was the moment when the Owls recovered two potentially priceless points that appeared to have slipped through their fingers when James Berrett equalised for Carlisle eight minutes from time.

Anything less than a victory would have been harsh on the Owls who played with great energy and creativity and dominated the game but often lacked a cutting edge.

When news of Milton Keynes Dons going ahead against the Blades broke 20 minutes into the game, it sparked an almighty cheer.

When Chris Lines put the Owls ahead five minutes later, everything was going to plan, and Hillsborough was rocking.

It may have been a scruffy finish but the nature of the execution mattered not a bit.

If the afternoon could have ended there and then, it would have been perfect for the Owls.

But, as the game wore on, and a second goal failed to materialise, nerves began to fray.

Ranger nearly doubled the lead but his volley was pushed wide by Carlisle’s impressive goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Carlisle were then unlucky not to score when Francois Zoko’s close-range shot squirmed through the legs of goalkeeper Stephen Bywater, struck Miguel Llera on the shin and rolled inches wide of the post.

When Jermaine Johnson burst into a one-on-one situation with Collin it should definitely have been 2-0 to the Owls.

However, not for the first time, the Jamaican winger fluffed his lines. His effort struck Collin in the chest before the ball was hacked away.

A well delivered free-kick from Owls defender Llera picked out Mark Beevers but brought another important save from Collin.

Although a 1-0 lead was good news for the Owls at the interval, there was still caution in the air over the team’s failure to score more.

Soon after the break, Antonio’s header was cleared off the line by Lubo Michalik as Carlisle hung on.

Referee Simon Hooper waved play on when Antonio was sent crashing to the floor by Noble.

The Owls were aggrieved – claiming Antonio had been fouled in a clear goal-scoring opportunity. On another day, with another referee, it would have been a sending-off.

Former Owls winger Jon-Paul McGovern was given generous applause when coming on as substitute for the visitors.

Carlisle were still firmly in the game and when Zoko volleyed over it was a warning to the Owls about the need for the second goal.

Eight minutes from time, Greg Abbott’s side found the net and duly punished the Owls for their profligacy.

Substitute Matthew Robson hit the wall with a 25-yard free-kick and the rebound was drilled home by former Huddersfield Town midfield player Berrett.

The Kop began to call for striker Ryan Lowe but he was kept on the bench as manager Dave Jones stuck to his guns.

It turned out to be the right call as Wednesday held their nerve, kept up the pressure and Antonio duly bagged the winner.

“It was a very important goal with Sheffield United losing,” said the winger.

“They have a very difficult game against Stevenage next week so anything can happen.

“If we win our next two games and they win their next two, it will be ‘well done’ to them and we will have to make sure our good run goes into the play-offs.

“But we have got a sniff and it will be better to get second place so we can have two months off instead of a month.

“But promotion is promotion,” he added.

“As long as we are in the Championship next season, we won’t complain.”