THESE two could end up meeting again in the play-offs, and if that’s the case, Huddersfield Town have to find a way to combat Wednesday’s power, pace and physicality.

Defeat all but ended hopes of automatic promotion from League I for Simon Grayson and his side.

And while Wednesday’s army of almost 4,000 fans gleefully chanted “the city is ours”, they still have to get the better of arch-rivals Sheffield United to claim a top-two finish.

After Town got to grips with the visitors’ high-tempo approach, there wasn’t much to separate the sides in a first half which was short on chances but absorbing nonetheless.

But a flimsy-looking free-kick, referee Anthony Taylor ruling Sean Morrison had fouled Danny Batth, was fired home by Spanish centre-back Miguel Llera in the 53rd minute, and from then on, Wednesday looked to have the points in the bag.

Nile Ranger, the on-loan Newcastle striker, had a shot saved by Alex Smithies then hit the bar before slotting a clinching goal for the Owls in the 72nd minute after Jermaine Johnson pounced as Tom Clarke’s attempted pass ricocheted into his path.

It was tough on Clarke, whose namesake Peter then had a headed goal disallowed for a foul on keeper Stephen Bywater, because he had produced some well-timed tackles and worked hard to combat the threat of widemen Johnson, the former Bradford City man, and Michail Antonio, the on-loan Reading player.

Town were also able to limit the chances for raw-boned frontman Gary Madine, but credit to Wednesday for the job they did on Jordan Rhodes.