Sheffield Wednesday were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackpool at Hillsborough on Sunday, a result that leaves their playoff ambitions in a tight League One race. Davis Keillor-Dunn gave the Owls a first-half lead, but Jerry Yates' late header secured a point for the visitors. The result on 1 November leaves Sunday ninth in the table with 19 points from 12 games, a record of five wins, four draws and three losses.
Keillor-Dunn opened the scoring in the 25th minute, finishing a swift move to give Wednesday the advantage. The home side's task became more difficult just before half-time when defender Sil Swinkels was shown a red card for a foul on Albie Morgan, forcing them to play the entire second period with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wednesday created several chances to extend their lead, registering 17 shots in total, with Keillor-Dunn and Marvin Johnson coming close.
Blackpool grew into the game and found their equaliser with nine minutes of normal time remaining. Albie Morgan delivered a cross from the right and Jerry Yates, who had come off the bench, powered a header past goalkeeper A. Maynard-Brewer. The match grew fractious in the closing stages, with both Barry Bannan and Blackpool's Josh Bowler receiving yellow cards following an argument.
Sheffield Wednesday manager M. Hamshaw set his team up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mason Paul James Burstow leading the line. The Owls ended the match with 48% possession and an expected goals figure of 0.71, compared to Blackpool's 1.22. Blackpool's CJ Hamilton was a constant threat on the wing, forcing several saves.
The single point means Sheffield Wednesday remain ninth in the League One table with 19 points from 12 games. They are now nine points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. Their recent form shows one win, two draws, and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 1-1 draw with Cambridge United and a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster. Top scorer J. Lowe, who has five goals this season, was not on the scoresheet in this encounter. The team has scored 21 goals and conceded 13 this campaign. Blackpool move up to 14th with 15 points.
Wednesday's next match is an FA Cup first round tie away to Oldham at Boundary Park on Sunday, 8 November. Their next league fixture is at home to Plymouth on Saturday 14 November; Plymouth currently sit fifth in the table. Blackpool will host Shrewsbury Town in league action next Sunday.
