Sheffield Wednesday 2 Colchester United 1: Double salvo helps Mellor stake claim to stay with beloved Owls

The former Liverpool striker had started only three games under Megson prior to this victory over Colchester United and was not even on the bench four days earlier against Brentford.

But, after celebrating his return to the side with both goals in a 2-1 victory, Mellor lifted the lid on his frustrations over the last two months.

“I have been to see the manager twice and it was just to let him know that I was disappointed,” he said. “I wondered why I was out of the side because I have scored goals this season and I am the leading goal-scorer.

“I am a senior player and, although I am on loan, I am desperate to stay here at Sheffield Wednesday,” he added.

Just like his manager, Mellor is a lifelong Owls supporter who has a father who played for the club in the Sixties.

But one of the biggest factors in his decision to move to Hillsborough this summer was the presence of Alan Irvine, his former manager at Preston, and who was sacked and replaced by Megson two months ago.

“I was desperately sad to see Alan go but it is a new challenge under Gary Megson and it us up to me to prove that I am worth a contract,” said Mellor.

“Hopefully, this performance will put me in good thoughts for the rest of the season. I think I have shown him big respect by coming in and doing a good job.

“Everyone was fired up for the game and we have gone out there and played for him because everyone is fully behind the manager.”

Mellor scored his first after 25 minutes – lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Ben Williams after a mistake on the edge of the area by Colchester captain Kemal Izzet.

Mellor grabbed his second – and 16th goal of the season – six minutes after the break when leaping high to direct a header beyond Williams at the far post.

Megson had made wholesale changes to his side in an attempt to turn the tide after losing four of the previous five games.

Just five who started the previous game against Brentford held onto their shirts – goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell, defenders Lewis Buxton and Daniel Batth, winger Gary Teale and striker Gary Madine.

There were recalls for Tommy Miller, James O’Connor, Reda and Jermaine Johnson, Mellor and defender Jon Otsemobor.

Megson dropped Darren Potter, Paul Heffernan, Joey O’Brien, Isaiah Osbourne and Tommy Spurr while Rob Jones was ruled out after suffering concussion in midweek.

An improvement in resolve was soon apparent as, too, the body language of the Wednesday players.

O’Connor and Miller looked a more solid pairing in the centre of the pitch and Mellor a better foil in attack for Madine.

Though Colchester forced early pressure, the Owls also stood tall at the back with both Batth and Otsemobor having their best games for the club.

Once Mellor found the net, it settled nerves and, significantly, sparked a healthy response from the crowd.

When the Hillsborough Kop is roaring, it puts a wind in their team’s sails and for a period midway through the first half, Colchester might have been blown over.

Johnson and Teale linked up for a great opportunity but there were groans all around when the Scot failed to make the most of the Jamaican’s cross.

As the interval loomed, the Owls had lost momentum but, if fortunately at times, they still kept the opposition at bay.

The half-time whistle was greeted with cheers rather than jeers as home fans showed appreciation for what they had just seen.

Mellor’s second goal came at just the right time – putting out the visitors’ fire before it could take hold.

There was still life in them – as a defeat would virtually end their lingering play-off hopes – but the Owls had O’Donnell to thank for a brave save at the feet of Ashley Vincent and Teale for clearing Matt Heath’s header off the line.

Mellor could have wrapped up his third hat-trick of the season but had a strong penalty appeal turned down and headed over from close range three minutes from time.

When Colchester striker Steven Gillespie scored in the 90th minute, it set up a nail-biting four minutes of stoppage time.

Referee Scott Mathieson prolonged the agony and Megson, who was fined £1,000 by the Football Association last week for touchline misconduct, had to bite his tongue until the final whistle blew.

The pair shared a friendly handshake moments later and Megson said: “I apologised for my lunacy and for shouting as much as I was doing.”

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Sheffield Wednesday: O’Donnell, Otsemobor, R Johnson, Batth, Buxton; Teale (Coke 84), O’Connor, Miller, J Johnson (Sedgwick 79), Madine, Mellor. Unused substitutes: Nicholls, D Jones, Potter, O’Brien, C Morrison.

Colchester United: Williams, Coker, Clarke, Heath, Wilson; Gillespie, Vincent, Izzet (O’Toole 75), Perkins (James 61); Bond, Mooney (Odejayi 67). Unused substitutes: Cousins, Henderson, Wordsworth, Smith.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).