Westwood denies Grabban from the spot to ensure Wednesday’s survival fight goes down to the final day

Sheffield Wednesday’s point against Nottingham Forest and Derby’s defeat away at Swansea means the Championship is all set up for a photo finish with each three sides in the relegation zone on the same 30-point total.

The Owls travel to Derby on the final day, with an away win keeping Darren Moore’s side in the Championship for another year but the Rams must avoid defeat to ensure their survival under Wayne Rooney.

As has been the problem for the Yorkshire side all season, Wednesday lacked creative output from the whistle; creating a total of zero big chances in 90 minutes. A lucky escape, as Forest missed three big chances and hit the woodwork.

Assistant manager Jamie Smith took charge of the hosts in the absence of boss Darren Moore, who is continuing his battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, but reassured worried supporters, “by resting I am building my strength and energy levels which will allow my body to strengthen.”

Ireland international Keiren Westwood conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time but made up his mistake with a fantastic save from 12 yards to deny Lewis Grabban, a notorious loose cannon from the spot.

Forest dominated in the opening stages, with Manchester United loanee James Garner setting the tempo – a huge part to Forest’s turnaround in the second half of the season to secure their Championship status.

The 20-year-old will be kicking himself, however, after letting an effort from six yards drift wide of the post, losing his balance and squandering a golden opportunity for the Reds to nick a winner.

Anthony Knockaert came back into the starting lineup and won the spot-kick for the visitors, but continued to frustrate his manager and supporters with his poor decision making and indecisiveness on the ball.

Benfica loanee Filip Krovinovic failed to impress, as has been the story besides his opening weeks at the City Ground, leading many to suggest the club will not re-sign him on a permanent deal this summer.

The Forest backline of Yuri Ribiero, Scott McKenna, Joe Worrall and Cyrus Christie resembled a brick wall throughout the matchup, with Wednesday’s frontline of Andre Green, Kadeem Harris and Josh Windass failing to make a dent.

Skipper Barry Bannan was the sole creative spark in midfield but even then, didn’t have the decisive edge to lead his side to what would be the biggest three points earned all season. At times, it appears Bannan acts as a one-man band in a side who probably deserved to be playing in League One next season.

Stand-in gaffer Jamie Smith told the media ‘it looked like the occasions got to us.’

“It looked like the occasions got to us. It was a great save from Westy for the penalty. We will have to wait and see what happens later today. We went with the team we thought would win the gam.”

Chris Hughton saw a different side to the game for his team, applauding his Reds for the chances created on the day.

“I was disappointed towards the end when we got into some really good areas, but then had to rely on Brice to make a fabulous save to keep us in the game. That’s probably my biggest disappointment – that we’d got to that stage of the game and were having to rely on that.”

All eyes will be on next weekend’s final day fixtures, with Sheffield Wednesday travelling to Derby County in a showdown that will decide who goes up, and who goes down.