Sheffield Wednesday 3 Bolton 2: Gary Hooper is Owls' hero to keep up pursuit of play-offs

It was on the playlist ahead of kick-off at Hillsborough last night. But, as it stands, the Owls’ class of 2015-16 can still only dream of the song providing a delicious accompaniment to a play-off final victory, with securing a place in the Championship top-six hard enough in itself.

A late goal from Ipswich Town against last night weekend derby opponents Leeds United denied Wednesday that accomplishment after seemingly months of trying.

But of primary importance to the Owls was finding a way to dispose of gallant crisis club Bolton, who posed them all manner of problems before Gary Hooper’s second goal of the game 13 minutes from time finished them off.

The loan striker, also culpable of missing several gilt-edged chances, took his seasonal tally to four, with his predatory second-half brace extending Wednesday’s unbeaten run at Hillsborough to 12 in all competitions.

It was a night when the Owls were nowhere near their best and were at times all over the show at the back, with the absence of Tom Lees looking particularly glaring on this evidence.

But importantly, despite being pegged back twice through goals from ex-Owls forward Gary Madine and David Wheater, Carlos Carvalhal’s side found a way to win, a trait that every promotion aspirant needs.

After the Roses duo drew 0-0 in mid-September, Bolton were in 17th place in the Championship, one place and a point above the Owls.

Heading into last night, Wednesday were 22 points and 17 places better off than their Lancastrian rivals, who have descended into freefall.

A perfect storm ahead of the game saw Wanderers head to Hillsborough with the spectre of administration looming if the club were not sold within 48 hours and rival clubs circling to take their leading players.

Among that number was Mark Davies, with Bolton having accepted a £750,000 bid from the Owls for the midfielder, yet to agree personal terms and not involved last night.

But despite Bolton’s predicament, Carvalhal’s warning that it could represent a tough evening for the Owls certainly rang true.

Bolton, without an away win since Easter Monday, gave as good as they got, despite failing behind to an early wonder goal from Fernando Forestieri.

This came after Hooper wasted a great chance after latching onto a weighted pass from Forestieri –skewing his shot horribly off target.

But it provided only temporary respite for Bolton, with another moment of sublime quality from Foresteri forging a sweet 14th-minute breakthrough. The ball fell some 30 yards out to the forward, who fired in a stunning strike past Ben Amos for his fifth goal in three matches at S6.

It looked the perfect platform for Wednesday and was seemingly the prelude to the longest of nights for bruised Bolton, only for a blast from Wednesday’s past to bundle the visitors level.

Wellington Silva’s left-wing cross was not cleared and despite Darren Pratley missing the target with the goal gaping, Madine spared his blushes by netting from close in.

The half ended with Feeney passing up two free-kick opportunities before Hooper’s earlier miss was compounded with another sitter when he fired over.

The break came at a good juncture to enable the Owls to regroup with the clock also turning full circle for Hooper, who put two painful misses behind to put the hosts back in front. It was engineered by slick approach play by Nuhiu and Daniel Pudil, with the latter’s cross dispatched by Hooper from close range.

Almost instantly, Madine headed a golden chance to level straight at Wildsmith, but Wheater proved less wasteful on 63 minutes. The big centre-back, unmarked following Feeney’s curling free-kick, saw his back-header go in off the bar.

Hooper soon dragged a shot across goal before Madine’s header was within inches of adding to the hosts pains, with the hosts defence looking increasingly bereft and shaky.

Wellington Silva then fired a free-kick just off target before Hooper latched onto Wallace’s pass, turning Wheater smartly before confidently firing high past Amos to end the scoring on a topsy-turvy evening for himself and the Owls.

Sheffield Wednesday: Wildsmith; Hunt (Palmer 82), Sasso, Loovens, Pudil; Wallace, Lee, Bannan, Forestieri (Helan 79); Hooper, Nuhiu (Joao 63). Unused substitutes: Price, Semedo, Lopez, Sougou.

Bolton Wanderers: Amos; Holding, Dervite, Wheater, Moxey; Dervite, Vela (Clough 84); Feeney, Trotter, Pratley, Wellington (Woolery 90); Madine. Unused substitutes: Rachubka, Spearing, Danns, Casado, Ameobi.

Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).