Jordan Ayew’s late strike denies Sheff Wed but Leicester stay in relegation zone

Jordan Ayew’s late goal denied Sheffield Wednesday their first home win of the Championship season but it was not enough to drag Leicester out of the relegation zone as they drew 1-1 with the league’s bottom side.

Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles made incredible save after incredible save in a game the Foxes needed to win to move above fellow strugglers Oxford and Portsmouth.

Jerry Yates’ second-minute goal nearly proved enough to secure the hosts their first three points since September, but Ayew’s quality finish in the 84th minute meant it was only the one point for the Owls.

It was the perfect start for Wednesday, with the Leicester defence failing to deal with Svante Ingelsson’s corner and Yates able to prod home.

Abdul Fatawu was the first of many visiting players to have a great opportunity to equalise. He found himself unmarked from Divine Mukasa’s corner but he scuffed his effort wide.

Oliver Skipp must have thought he had done everything right when he fired a volley at goal, but Charles was there to make a brilliant point-blank save.

Stephy Mavididi curled in an attempt from distance but Charles was there once more to tip it round the post in the last chance of the first half.

Harry Winks’ driven effort was collected comfortably by Charles as Leicester resumed on the front foot after the break.

Wednesday had a golden chance to double their lead when substitute Olaf Kobacki drove at the Leicester defence and played in Liam Palmer, but the Owls captain placed his shot inches wide.

Mukasa was the next to hit an effort at goal but the Wednesday keeper was there yet again to palm to safety.

Leicester will have been starting to lose hope when substitute Ayew hit the post and Mavididi and captain Ricardo Pereira were denied by an
unbelievable Charles double save in a matter of a few minutes.

Charles’ goal was finally breached six minutes from time when Ayew got through and blasted an unstoppable right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner from just outside the box.

The Foxes kept banging at the door and were so close to finding the winner from Ayew’s header deep into added time, but man of the match Charles stretched out an arm to frustrate the visitors even further.

The point sees Leicester move into 22nd place, one point behind fourth-bottom Portsmouth with just five Championship games remaining.