Sheffield Wednesday 1 Aldershot 0: Lowe puts Owls into third round and maintains impressive Hillsborough record

The former Bury striker has had to bide his time since crossing the Pennines, but with Madine out injured for several weeks, it has given Lowe his opportunity and Saturday’s winner was his third goal for the Owls - his first on home soil - and 10th overall for the season.

The Owls have been unbeatable at home this season, winning 10 out 11 league and cup games, while drawing the other. It has seen them climb into second place in League One and now a place in the third round of the FA Cup.

Wednesday missed a string of chances but managed the breakthrough in the 50th minute.

A ball down the middle was helped on by strike partner Chris O’Grady to Lowe who had found space and was faced by the goalkeeper, but he showed typical composure in knocking the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

The striker celebrated by running towards the corner flag and sliding on his knees after recording his first goal for the Owls at Hillsborough to add to two earlier ones for the club at Tranmere and Wycombe.

Owls manager Gary Megson praised the Owls’ home form this season.

He said: “We won the game, which is the main thing that matters in cup competition. It’s another win at home and that’s what we have to do, keep on winning.

“We’ve played nine league games at home and won eight, we beat Blackpool at home in the Carling Cup and drew against a Premiership side and a Championship in two pre-season friendlies at Hillsborough.

“So we’re doing well at home and if we do get beat, we have to make sure it’s because the opposition played well and we haven’t thrown it away.”

On another day Wednesday could have chalked up several more goals and Megson knows they will have to be more clinical against tighter defences than the one which League two side Aldershot offered.

He said: “Ryan’s goal was typical of the lad, he’s been doing that all his career. He could have had another one, Chris O’Grady had a couple of chances but did terrific leading the line and Liam Palmer missed a header near the end.

“Jermaine Johnson came on and could have had a hat-trick in ten minutes, I was really pleased how he played, apart from the finish, because on his day, he’s unstoppable.

“But we’re through and as I said, that’s the main thing in the cups.

“It won’t be like the olden days when we are all gathered round the radio for the draw hoping for a big club because we are a big club ourselves.

“I would like a home draw and then to get as far as we can in the competition.”

While the scoreline may not have been impressive, the fact Wednesday had half of their regular side unavailable was a mitigating factor.

Now the FA Cup dream can be put to one side for an important run of fixtures in League One, starting with Saturday’s trip to Oldham before the visit of third-placed Huddersfield Town the week after.

Sheffield Wednesday: O’Donnell, Tavernier, Rob Jones, Reda Johnson, Bennett, Sedgwick (Jermaine Johnson 86), Lines, Semedo, Palmer (Prutton 86), O’Grady, Lowe (Morrison 80). Unused substitutes: Jameson, Reynolds, Otsemobor, Coke.

Aldershot: Young, Herd, Jones, Morris, Straker, Smith, Guttridge, Collins (Davies 80), Rodman (McGlashan 77), Rankine (Pearson 77), Hylton. Unused substitutes: Worner, Aaron Brown, Pulis, Vincenti.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).