Sheffield Wednesday’s fight against Championship relegation continued to gather pace as they beat fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle 1-0.
Ian Poveda had a goal disallowed for offside for the hosts after 20 minutes while Ike Ugbo also went close for the Owls in a goalless first half.
Djeidi Gassama broke the deadlock when he prodded home Ugbo’s cross from the right while he went close to a second soon after.
Argyle struggled to create any clear-cut chances as they failed to score in a game for a fourth time in five fixtures.
Wednesday’s victory – their fifth in six games – sees them stay second from bottom but, crucially, they are now level on points with the three sides above them as their resurgence under Danny Rohl continues.
Argyle remain two points above the Owls in 16th place in a congested lower part of the table.
Relive Tuesday’s Championship action
Wednesday had the best of the chances as Ugbo forced a good save from Conor Hazard in the ninth minute before Poveda finished off a fine flowing move but was denied by the assistant’s flag, although replays showed it was a very tight decision.
Ashely Phillips headed wide for Argyle soon after while James Beadle beat away a Mickel Miller shot for Pilgrims as the opening period drew to a close.
Argyle will be frustrated with Wednesday’s opener after Adam Forshaw was caught in possession deep in his own territory and Ugo was able to break into the box and feed Gassama, whose shot went in despite Hazard getting a decent hand to it.
Gassama was not too far from doubling his tally two minutes later when he flashed a long-range shot wide while, at the other end. James Beadle did well to save a decent Morgan Whittaker chance soon after.
Mustapha Bundu had a couple of chances for the Pilgrims as the game drew to a close, but they could not find a goal.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl:
“It was a big one. I am very proud of my team at the moment. It is outstanding what they are doing.
“Everybody knows Rotherham are always difficult with the second balls and set-plays.
“At half-time I said it was great what we were doing. But we had to score with the next chance.
“It was a big impact from our subs. A draw was not enough. I had to change the shape and we scored immediately. Then it was about bringing the game home.
“Our defending at the moment is great to see. We are finding a balance between playing nice football and making the right steps.
“We are the hunter at the moment and we have the momentum.”
Plymouth Argyle head coach Ian Foster told BBC Radio Devon:
“It’s bitter disappointment, we didn’t feel it was a game we ought to have lost.
“It’s really unfortunate the manner of the goal – Adam has made an honest mistake, he should have cleared his lines and unfortunately for Adam he slipped over and they’ve scored on the transition.
“Second half I thought the team were perfect in terms of their approach, I thought we bossed the second half and I can’t believe that we’ve come away having lost the game.”
Line-ups
Sheff Wed
Formation 5-4-1
26Beadle
14Valentín6Iorfa20Ihiekwe17Bernard18Johnson
36Poveda4Vaulks10Bannan41Gassama
12Ugbo
26Beadle14ValentínSubstituted forPalmerat 87’minutes6IorfaSubstituted forDiabyat 76’minutes20Ihiekwe17Bernard18Johnson36PovedaSubstituted forMusabaat 76’minutes4Vaulks10BannanSubstituted forDiabyat 45’minutesBooked at 89mins41Gassama12UgboSubstituted forCadamarteriat 68’minutesSubstitutes1Dawson2Palmer5Diaby7Wilks23Famewo24Smith42Cadamarteri44Diaby45Musaba
Plymouth
Formation 3-4-3
21Hazard
26Phillips17Gibson22Galloway
8Edwards20Randell27Forshaw14Miller
10Whittaker9Hardie18Gyabi
21Hazard26Phillips17Gibson22Galloway8EdwardsSubstituted forMumbaat 78’minutes20RandellBooked at 58mins27ForshawBooked at 45minsSubstituted forHoughtonat 70’minutes14Miller10Whittaker9Hardie18GyabiSubstituted forBunduat 70’minutesSubstitutes1Cooper2Mumba3Sousa4Houghton5Pleguezuelo15Bundu16Devine23Waine29Sorinola
Referee:Stephen Martin
Attendance:23,037
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield Wednesday 1, Plymouth Argyle 0.
Second Half ends, Sheffield Wednesday 1, Plymouth Argyle 0.
Djeidi Gassama (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle).
Foul by Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday).
Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Lewis Gibson.
Attempt blocked. Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Palmer.
Attempt blocked. Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Brendan Galloway.
Attempt blocked. Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Brendan Galloway with a through ball.
Momo Diaby (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Momo Diaby (Sheffield Wednesday).
Jordan Houghton (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Liam Palmer replaces Pol Valentín because of an injury.
Delay in match because of an injury Pol Valentín (Sheffield Wednesday).
Foul by Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday).
Lewis Gibson (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt blocked. Jordan Houghton (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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