Milton Keynes Dons 2-3 Sheffield Wednesday: Barry Bannan's stunning 45-yard lob earns victory for Owls
- Published
Sheffield Wednesday climbed to fifth in League One as they stunned automatic promotion hopefuls MK Dons.
Darren Moore's Owls scored three goals in the first half hour from Saido Berahino, Lee Gregory and an outrageous 45-yard lob from Barry Bannan.
Troy Parrott pulled one back before Scott Twine curled in a beauty six minutes into added time.
But, although there were still six minutes more of stoppage time, Dons could not find an equaliser.
After seeing their 15-match unbeaten run come to an end, Liam Manning's side stay third, having missed the chance to get back in the top two and close the gap on leaders Wigan Athletic,
Darrren Moore's Owls leapfrogged Wycombe Wanderers and Sunderland to move within two points of fourth-placed Plymouth.
After Berahino's shot went through MK Dons goalkeeper Jamie Cumming's grasp to put the Owls in front on 10 minutes, Gregory forced in Bannan's corner to double the lead on 20 minutes.
With stunning mathematical precision, Bannan then tripled the lead in the 30th minute when home defender Dean Lewington headed a hopeful long punt from Owls keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell back into his path - and he chested down before unleashing a powerful left-footed lob which left the back-pedalling Cumming stranded.
The Dons pulled one back from Parrott's dinked finish, but Twine's terrific free-kick was all that the hosts could muster after the break.
MK Dons boss Liam Manning:
"We've been so hard to beat. So much of our work is based on having a good structure, being able to be in good positions, second balls and playing disciplined in our mid and back third.
"It shows, when you play against good, experienced players, if you get the margins wrong, you end up like we did - 3-0 down - and then you're chasing the game.
"What we saw second half was spirit, character, never-say-die, which sums the lads up because we know they'll fight right to the end."
Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore:
"It was great to see two of our goals come from set-plays and, obviously, the third one was a great goal executed by Baz.
"The game in general was a great game of football and a wonderful advert for both teams who were at it from the word go.
"It had a bit of everything and I'm just pleased we've come out with the three points.