Sheffield Wednesday 0 Doncaster Rovers 2: Sharp's delight increases Owls' pain

Inspired by Billy Sharp, a lifelong Sheffield United supporter, Rovers also inflicted the first home defeat on the Owls since the appointment of manager Alan Irvine.

Striker Sharp, who is on loan to Rovers from the Blades, had already ruffled Owls feathers by bagging the winner in the corresponding fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium two months ago.

He was intent on twisting the knife again last night and his all-action display had Owls supporters spitting feathers too.

Leading thanks to a spectacular debut goal by loan signing Elliott Ward, Rovers secured victory midway through the second half when Sharp's close-range drive deflected off Wednesday's James O'Connor.

The Owls, who had been without a fixture last weekend due to West Bromwich Albion's involvement in the FA Cup, were unchanged for a second game in a row.

The absence of Jermaine Johnson, Lewis Buxton, Tommy Miller and Francis Jeffers due to injuries still stretched Irvine's options on the bench.

Rovers had won for the first time in six games at the weekend against Nottingham Forest but had lost centre-backs Jason Shackell and Shelton Martis in the process.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll, already without central defenders Adam Lockwood and Byron Webster, plugged the gap by signing Coventry City's Ward who made an immediate debut alongside Sam Hird in the middle of defence.

The Owls hit the woodwork twice inside the opening 20 minutes.

Winger Tom Soares was unlucky when a low shot beat Neil Sullivan and cannoned back off a post. Striker Marcus Tudgay then looked nailed on to find the net but Sullivan's save low down turned the ball onto a post again.

Those missed opportunities proved costly as Rovers recovered from the shaky start and took the game firmly by the scruff of the neck.

For over 20 minutes, the Owls were virtual spectators as Rovers played some vintage football and applied intense pressure.

Sharp, jeered for every touch due to his affiliation with Sheffield United, nearly scored with a looping header that Lee Grant pushed over the bar.

When Grant failed to hold a long-range drive from John Oster, Sharp was just beaten to the loose ball by Darren Purse.

The Owls have improved significantly since Irvine's appointment, winning five of his first seven games, but they had no real answer to Rovers before the break.

Purse might have conceded a penalty when the ball struck his arm during a goalmouth scramble but, unlike in a recent game at Nottingham Forest, luck was on his side and the referee waved play on.

Rovers finally got the goal their first-half display warranted five minutes before the break.

Rarely, if ever, do centre-backs score contenders for goal of the season but loan signing Ward will have to wait a long time before he finds the net again with such style.

Jumping athleticly with his back to the goal, Ward performed the perfect overhead kick, meeting the cross and hammering the ball over his shoulder and in off the underside of the bar.

If Sharp had found the net after racing 40 yards with the ball in first-half stoppage time, it would have given the Owls a mountain to climb.

There were cheers and, no doubt, a few sighs of relief from the Wednesday Kop as the striker's effort flashed over the bar.

Although the home side improved briefly after the break, Sharp threatened again when his low shot was deflected for a corner.

Blades striker Sharp was revelling in the occasion and there will have been no happier man in Sheffield when the ball hit the net for Rovers' second just beyond the hour mark.

Sharp had started the move on the left and was then involved in the finale on the right although his close-range shot took a heavy deflection off O'Connor on its way past Grant.

Not content with cart-wheeling then lying flat on his back on the Hillsborough turf, Sharp was lucky to escape without a booking for his celebrations which more than milked the moment.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant; Simek, Purse, Beevers, Spurr; Soares (Clarke 58), Potter, O'Connor, Gray (Esajas 68); Tudgay, Varney. Unused substitutes: Hinds, McAllister, Lekaj, Boden, Jameson.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; O'Connor, Hird, Ward, Chambers; Stock (Mutch 86); Coppinger (Shiels 90) Wilson, Oster; Sharp (Guy 89), Hayter. Unused substitutes: Smith, Smith, Spicer, Dumbuya.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne and Wear).