Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Nottingham Forest: Owls' survival hopes boosted by Derby and Rotherham resuts
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Keiren Westwood's penalty save could yet prove vital in helping the Owls preserve their second-tier status
Sheffield Wednesday's chances of avoiding relegation from the Championship were boosted as other results went their way following an uninspiring scoreless draw with Nottingham Forest.
Keiren Westwood's penalty save earned the Owls a point in the lunchtime kick-off, but they could have been relegated had Derby managed to avoid defeat against Swansea.
But the Rams lost despite going ahead and are only three points above Wednesday, with the two sides meeting on the final day.
A win could be enough to keep the Owls in the division, but Rotherham's draw against Blackburn means the Millers are only three points below the Rams themselves and they have a game in hand.
Rotherham also have a superior goal difference to both Derby and the Owls.
A Wednesday defeat against Forest would have ensured second-tier football next season and Westwood's fine stop from Lewis Grabban's spot-kick late in the first half, after the keeper brought down Anthony Knockaert, could yet prove crucial.
Owls boss Darren Moore picked the team and was heavily involved despite being absent while he recovers from pneumonia which was triggered by contracting Covid-19.
But the hosts were poor before the break and although they improved, they created precious little despite some typically bright moments by Barry Bannan.
Substitute Jordan Rhodes posed problems, while Josh Windass came closest to scoring when a ferocious near-post strike forced a fine save from Brice Samba.
Forest, who are 16th in the table, also only rarely threatened, with a James Garner miskick and Grabban's effort into the side netting as good as it got.
The first half was flat, tedious and cautious, with only a tame effort on goal by Wednesday's Kadeem Harris sparking interest until a dramatic finish.
Moments after Filip Krovinovic wasted a good shooting opportunity for Forest, the Owls got in a mess playing from the back when Westwood's sliced clearance was met with an even worse headed back pass by Adam Reach but the keeper made amends.
'The occasion maybe got to us' - reaction
Sheffield Wednesday assistant boss assistant manager Jamie Smith: "There were some nerves, I suppose.
"The occasion maybe got to us a little bit - particularly in the first half when we were a bit frantic on the ball and our decision making wasn't good enough at times.
"It was also very frustrating to see some of the defensive mistakes but, fortunately, they did not lead to us conceding and Keiren made a great save to keep us in it.
"We still had chances but it did not happen for us even though we had picked a team that we thought would win the game and put Callum Paterson out on the right, to give us extra height and an attacking threat."
Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton: "I felt we were the team more likely to score.
"You could see they were a team fighting for their lives, but we are disappointed that it got to the stage that we needed a superb save from Brice to get a draw because we shouldn't have had to rely on that.
"I couldn't fault the players' attitude and endeavour but, if you don't take your chances, it always gives the opposition that little bit of hope.
"Their keeper also made a good save from the penalty and I think that changed the game because, if they'd have gone in at half-time 1-0 down, they it would have opened up a lot more."