SHEFF WED VS CARDIFF

Will Keane's second half penalty levelled for the Owls after Kenwyne Jones had put Cardiff ahead after seven minutes.

The Bluebirds started brightly with new forward man Doyle earning the away side a corner kick within a minute. Peter Whittingham's set piece threatened to trouble reliable keeper Kieren Westwood but the hosts were able to scramble the ball clear at the second attempt.

Chris Maguire's dipping volley on four minutes tested Moore, but the City shot stopper tipped this effort wide. Russell Slade's side were rewarded for their attacking away setup with the opening goal on seven minutes.

Having soaked up pressure from the hosts, the ball fell to Everton loanee Conor McAleny in the centre of the pitch and he had no qualms about quacking turning defence into attack. McAleny's clever pass found full-back Scott Malone on the left flank, with the former Millwall man with a cross field ball that beat the Owls defence to find the head of top scorer Kenwyne Jones. The Trinidad forwards deft headed flick inside the box enough to beat Westwood and give Cardiff an early one-goal advantage.

Towering forward Jones almost turned provider for debutant Doyle eight minutes later as the Bluebirds searched for a second goal. Kenwyne with a delicate back heel to play Doyle through, but under pressure the Irishman could only drag his shot inches wide of goal. The two strikers combined again on 33 minutes, with Doyle setting the ball for Jones on the edge of the Owls penalty area but his shot also drifted wide.

Chris Maguire began the match initially playing behind the front two of May and Keane, and proved a danger to the Bluebirds defence again on 38 minutes with Wednesday's best chance of the half. Maguire's powerful shot from the edge of the box skidded off the surface at Hillsborough and just wide of Simon Moore's far post, a let off for the Cardiff back-line who had stood strong throughout the half.

Doyle was again involved for his new side late in the half, forcing defender Kieran Lee into an error wide on the left side before cutting in and striking towards goal. Kieren Westwood only able to push the effort out, with the onrushing Kenwyne Jones just missing out on the rebound. Cardiff City deservedly leading going into the interval at Hillsborough.

The Owls came out for the second period in determined fashion, and could have levelled inside 18 seconds following a mixup between Simon Moore and Scott Malone. Steven May running onto the loose ball, but only able to fire his effort against the outside of the post.

On-loan Manchester United forward Keane was also to have a good chance at equalising in the opening moments of the half, but Bruno Ecuele Manga's exceptional block forced the striker's shot over the crossbar after Keane's neat turn inside the area. The Owls continued to pressure Cardiff, with holding midfielder Sam Hutchinson's scooped effort on 61 minutes somehow ending up over the crossbar.

The Bluebirds dealt with Wednesday pressure throughout the second half as the hosts went all out for a levelling goal. On 75 minutes Matthew Connolly was deemed by referee Kevin Wright to have fouled substitute Sergiu Bus inside the penalty area, giving the Owls a good opportunity to level the match. Moore was able to deny Chris Martin with an outstanding save from the penalty spot last week, but Will Keane sent the shot stopper the wrong way at Hillsborough to make it one goal apiece.

Conor McAleny was replaced by Craig Noone for the final seven minutes as Cardiff tried to regain their lead but the hosts looked the more likely to seal all three points. Simon Moore with a number of strong saves to keep the Bluebirds ahead as the 90-minute mark neared.

Neither side were able to make a clear chance in the five minutes added on, with a draw arguably the correct result on a tough afternoon at Hillsborough. The Bluebirds deservedly leading at the interval, with a strong fightback from the Owls sealing the draw and a point.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Mattock (Bus, 62), Hutchinson, May, Maguire (Semedo, 46), Lees, Helan, Lee (McGugan, 76), Dielna, Vermijl, Keane. Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Palmer, Nuhiu, Maghoma.

Cardiff City: Moore, Peltier (Connolly, 66), Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Malone, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, O'Keefe, McAleny (Noone, 83), Jones, Doyle (Revell, 64). Subs Not Used: Wilson, Fabio, Adeyemi, Harris.