Sheffield Wednesday’s perfect record under new boss Alan Irvine came to a disappointing end at Glanford Park o Wednesday evening. A second minute goal from Gary Hooper put the Owls on the back foot and Scunthorpe effectively sealed the points 13 minutes from time when Grant McCann doubled their lead.
Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins conceded that his team had to defend manfully for large spells as Wednesday dominated territorially for spells in the second half but despite having four strikers on the field going into the closing stages the Owls never really threatened to make the most of their possession.
A win would have moved the Owls up a couple of places in the Coca Cola Championship table but as it is they have now been leapfrogged by Scunthorpe and the pressure will be on to get a positive result at home to fellow strugglers Plymouth on Saturday.
The Owls form at Hillsborough prior to last weekends 2-1 win over bottom of the table Peterborough has been dire with six defeats already on home soil in the league.
Irvine’s record of 9 points from 4 games in charge so far is still more than respectable, especially considering the run of results before his appointment and a win on Saturday would afford the Owls a little breathing space. Defeat however would see them slump back to within touching distance of the relegation zone and Wednesday have played a game more than many of the teams around them in the table.