LEE CLARK put his post-derby analysis on the back burner to give his players a “huge pat on the back”.
Boss Clark watched strike sensation Jordan Rhodes salvage a point with his fourth goal of the game in the sixth minute of time added on by referee Darren Deadman, who was jeered by the home fans in a bumper 28,600 crowd and confronted by Wednesday players when he finally ended a memorable meeting seconds after the restart.
“Yes, we made some mistakes, and when you score four goals at a place like this, you expect to win the game,” said Clark.
“But we have time enough before our next game (at home to basement side Chesterfield on Boxing Day) to talk about what we did wrong.
“At this stage it’s about giving the players the credit they deserve for their character and courage.
“I’m delighted with the outcome, and I think we deserved the point. We played some excellent stuff and deserved to take something.”
Clark’s men led 2-0 inside 16 minutes before Wednesday turned things around to level it by the break and have a 4-2 advantage after 75.
“We came to win the match – I think we showed that – and started as well as we have done all season,” added Clark.
“But they got one back, then started to build some momentum with their fans behind them, and carried that on into the second half.
“But then we started passing the ball again and creating chances.
“I didn’t think it was going to be our day when Lee Novak missed his chance but we kept going.
“And when you have someone in the form of Jordan at this moment in time, if you give him the service, nine-and-a-half times out of ten, it will be in the back of the net.”
“Gary (Megson, the Wednesday manager) will be angry and frustrated at the final outcome.
“But I think he’d agree this was a game worthy of a higher level, and that’s not being disrespectful of the division.
Town were backed by more than 4,000 supporters and Clark said: “I think both sets of fans can be proud of their teams.”
