Town Reserves 0 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday Reserves. Pontins Premier League. GOALS have become a bit scarce down at the McAlpine.

Not since the 3-1 first team victory against Hull on November 15th have players in blue and white hit the back of the net.

That spell includes the 0-0 draw with Cheltenham along with a Youth Cup defeat and two reserve team defeats within the space of five days.

It's not for a lack of trying though.

An assertive goalkeeping display by Wednesday's Robert Poulter, proved decisive during a first half full of chances.

But eventually Wednesday's Lloyd Owusu produced the decisive finish on 54 minutes when impressive midfielder Laurie Wilson was given time to launch a long ball out to Marcus Orlick on the left wing who killed the ball dead with his first touch and launched an accurate cross with his second for Owusu to bury the winner.

It was a cruel blow as Town deserved something from this match in front of watching first team managers Peter Jackson and Chris Turner.

Town's loan striker Fola Onibuje teed up partner John McAliskey on four minutes, playing him clean through, but the keeper smothered his shot after Town's teenage keeper Jacob Giles had been given early handling practise inside the first minute when Owusu shot straight at him.

Mount-based Giles showed good positioning sense soon after to block at his near post from Mickael Curier's effort on 19 minutes.

It was a spirited display by Town during the first period. Adnan Ahmed showed tigrish qualities along with Tyrone Thompson while Dwayne Mattis sought to support strikers Onibuje and McAliskey at controlled times.

Town came close on 23 minutes when McAliskey's flicked header to Onibuje was driven across the area and Thompson's low accurate drive was frustratingly blocked by the keeper.

Curier nearly broke the deadlock on 28 minutes but was forced wide by Martyn Booty and shot into the side netting while Onibuje's shot on 41 minutes looked a certain goal until Richard Wood somehow scrambled it off the line, with the Town players protesting it had crossed.

But deep into stoppage time at the end of the match substitute Matthew Young turned provider for Joe Shaw but he shot over the bar when well-placed in what turned out to be the last kick of the match.

Town Reserves: Giles, Holdsworth, Hardy, Holland, Yates, Booty, Thompson (Shaw, 72mins), Mattis, Onibuje (Young, 65mins), McAliskey, Ahmed (Hand, 72mins). Subs not used: Draper, Evans.

Sheff Wed Res: Poulter, Marsden, Smith, Wood, Lowe, McMahon, Wilson, Armstrong (Mason, 64mins), Currier, Owusu, Orlick (McAllister, 86mins). Subs not used: Ogden, Needham.

Referee: P Bramley.

Attendance: 120.