By Alistair Magowan BBC Sport at Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday ended a poor run of form as they beat Sheffield United to stay in touch with their city rivals near the top of League One.

Chris O'Grady grabbed his seventh goal of the season when he headed in Lewis Buxton's cross.

Earlier, Lee Williamson hit the bar with a free-kick as United created several openings.

Victory ended a run of four defeats for Wednesday, who are now two points behind second-placed United.

Owls boss Gary Megson, who highlighted Wednesday's lack of goals in the build-up to what was a fiercely-contested encounter, will be delighted with a victory that lifted them above Huddersfield and Milton Keynes Dons into third place, especially as his position has come under threat.

Chairman Milan Mandaric dismissed rumours of Megson's dismissal after defeat to Chesterfield on their last outing, and, with whispers swirling around Hillsborough of a meeting between Mandaric and former Wolves boss Dave Jones, this result was the perfect response.

United, on the other hand, will have to lick their wounds after this setback. They remain 10 points behind League One leaders Charlton as manager Danny Wilson completed a disappointing return to his former club.

Megson will also have been pleased by the contribution of new loan signing Michail Antonio, who looked a welcome addition to their supply line.

His cross was narrowly missed by Ryan Lowe, with Reda Johnson heading over from an early corner, but United posed more questions in open play in a white-hot first half.

Leading scorer Ched Evans was a constant threat and he linked well with Williamson, with the winger inches away from opening the scoring when his free-kick crashed against the bar before thudding down close to the line.

Evans twice went close either side of that chance as United finished the opening period on top, but Wednesday improved after the break and the majority of a 36,364-strong crowd found their voice when O'Grady was narrowly off target from 25 yards.

Megson then brought on Gary Madine as the Owls began to force the game, and the manager got his reward on 73 minutes when Buxton made an overlapping run to cross for O'Grady to nod in from 10 yards.

United responded with a flurry of changes but goalkeeper Stephen Bywater saved Will Hoskins's late header after stopping Ryan Flynn's effort.

But they could not breach the Wednesday goal and, although it marked only their third game in 13 where they had not won, they now have to regroup and deal with their arch-rivals once again breathing down their necks.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Sheffield Wednesday manager Gary Megson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I'm proud all the time being manager of Sheffield Wednesday, but I suppose that's intensified given the fact that we've just won a game against our local neighbours and it's a great feeling.

"I think it was always going to be a scrappy game, being a derby game and invariably they are settled by a mistake, a set-piece or a really, really top drawer goal and that's what it was.

"I couldn't see it coming from anyone, but ourselves, especially in the second half. It was near enough one-way traffic.

"They had one header late on, but really it was a loopy thing and Stephen [Bywater] chose to put it over the top, but as I say it was all one-way traffic."

Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"It was a very tough game as we expected, there's nothing between the two teams.

"They've had a chance where they've created a little bit of an opening down the side of us, the only time in the game and they've taken their chance, which is disappointing from our perspective.

"We've had a couple of good situations today that we could possibly have done better. But we've been unlucky as well with the free-kick in the first half that's struck the underside of the bar and whether it's crossed the line or not. I'm not too sure, because I haven't seen it.

"It was nip and tuck all the way, we said before that there had been nothing between the two teams. They're good sides and two teams you expect to be challenging at the end of the season."

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Sheffield Wednesday

  • 43 Bywater
  • 02 Buxton
  • 04 Batth
  • 05 R Jones
  • 06 Semedo
  • 17 R Johnson
  • 07 Prutton (Jones - 63' )
  • 08 Lines
  • 27 Antonio (Llera - 90' )
  • 09 O'Grady
  • 30 Lowe (Madine - 59' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Weaver
  • 32 Llera
  • 16 Jones
  • 14 Madine
  • 19 Morrison

Sheffield United

  • 01 Simonsen
  • 02 Lowton
  • 03 Lescinel
  • 15 Collins
  • 19 Maguire
  • 04 Montgomery (Flynn - 79' )
  • 08 Doyle
  • 14 Williamson
  • 28 Quinn (Beattie - 86' )
  • 09 Evans
  • 17 Cresswell (Hoskins - 84' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Howard
  • 06 Ertl
  • 11 Flynn
  • 07 Hoskins
  • 10 Beattie
Ref: Halsey
Att: 36,364

Match Stats

Shots

6 5

On target

4 3

Corners

5 4

Fouls

14 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:25 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +0:52 Substitution

Substitution Miguel Angel Llera replaces Michail Antonio.

90:00 +0:11

Outswinging corner taken by Lee Williamson from the right by-line.

89:48

The ball is swung over by James Beattie, Ched Evans takes a shot. Save by Stephen Bywater.

89:19

Ryan Flynn takes a shot. Save by Stephen Bywater.

85:27 Substitution

Substitution James Beattie is brought on as a substitute for Stephen Quinn.

83:47

Stephen Bywater takes the indirect free kick.

83:47 Substitution

Substitution Will Hoskins joins the action as a substitute, replacing Richard Cresswell.

83:47

The assistant referee flags for offside against Ched Evans.

81:50

Chris O'Grady fouled by Harry Maguire, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Chris Lines.

79:49

Unfair challenge on Lee Williamson by Jose Vitor Semedo results in a free kick. Harry Maguire takes the direct free kick.

78:52 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Flynn on for Nick Montgomery.

73:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ched Evans by Reda Johnson. Ched Evans produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Stephen Bywater.

72:18

The assist for the goal came from Lewis Buxton.

72:18 Goal scored

Goal - Chris O'Grady - Sheff Wed 1 - 0 Sheff Utd Chris O'Grady scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Sheff Wed 1-0 Sheff Utd.

72:15

Centre by Lewis Buxton,

69:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michail Antonio on Lecsinel Jean-Francois. Neill Collins restarts play with the free kick.

67:10

Unfair challenge on Mike Jones by Michael Doyle results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Chris Lines.

62:50 Substitution

Substitution David Prutton goes off and Mike Jones comes on.

58:23 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Lowe leaves the field to be replaced by Gary Madine.

58:13

Handball decision goes against Richard Cresswell. Stephen Bywater restarts play with the free kick.

57:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Batth on Stephen Quinn. Matthew Lowton restarts play with the free kick.

57:00

Lewis Buxton takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Doyle.

56:21

Reda Johnson sends in a cross.

55:06

Corner from the right by-line taken by Lee Williamson, save made by Stephen Bywater.

54:23

Danny Batth concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Cresswell. Free kick taken by Michael Doyle.

53:50

Chris O'Grady produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.

53:08

Michail Antonio crosses the ball.

51:42

Michail Antonio concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Quinn. Steve Simonsen restarts play with the free kick.

51:12

Corner taken right-footed by Chris Lines, Lecsinel Jean-Francois makes a clearance.

48:53

Corner from left by-line taken by Stephen Quinn.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:28 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

44:07

A cross is delivered by Matthew Lowton.

41:51

Lewis Buxton concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Quinn. Lee Williamson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, David Prutton makes a clearance.

38:52

Shot from a long way out by Ched Evans goes wide of the left-hand upright.

38:52

Effort from a long way out by Ched Evans goes wide right of the target.

38:22

Chris Lines concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Doyle. Free kick taken by Neill Collins.

37:23

The referee gives a free kick against Chris O'Grady for handball. Steve Simonsen takes the direct free kick.

36:48

David Prutton sends in a cross, save by Steve Simonsen.

36:01

Corner from right by-line taken by Chris Lines.

32:54

Foul by Chris O'Grady on Lee Williamson, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Steve Simonsen.

31:17

Lee Williamson concedes a free kick for a foul on Jose Vitor Semedo. Chris Lines has an effort direct from the free kick, comfortable save by Steve Simonsen.

30:06

David Prutton takes a shot. Ryan Lowe gets a block in.

29:41

Corner taken right-footed by Chris Lines from the right by-line, Richard Cresswell manages to make a clearance.

27:43

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Lines, clearance made by Neill Collins.

27:35

Centre by Lewis Buxton, Lecsinel Jean-Francois gets a block in.

26:48

Matthew Lowton concedes a free kick for a foul on Jose Vitor Semedo. Stephen Bywater restarts play with the free kick.

25:53

Jose Vitor Semedo challenges Ched Evans unfairly and gives away a free kick. Steve Simonsen restarts play with the free kick.

23:55

Michail Antonio delivers the ball.

22:59

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Lewis Buxton.

20:45

Unfair challenge on Richard Cresswell by Reda Johnson results in a free kick. Michael Doyle takes the free kick.

20:01

The official flags Ched Evans offside. Stephen Bywater takes the free kick.

19:43

A cross is delivered by Matthew Lowton, clearance made by Lewis Buxton.

19:02

Richard Cresswell fouled by Reda Johnson, the ref awards a free kick. Harry Maguire takes the free kick.

13:24

Jose Vitor Semedo challenges Stephen Quinn unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike comes in from Lee Williamson from the free kick,

9:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Nick Montgomery on Lewis Buxton. Free kick crossed right-footed by Chris Lines.

7:48

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Lines, Reda Johnson produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.

5:49

Ched Evans gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michail Antonio. Free kick taken by Stephen Bywater.

5:18

Lee Williamson takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Michail Antonio.

5:09

The ball is swung over by Matthew Lowton, clearance made by Rob Jones.

0:46

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rob Jones on Ched Evans. Direct free kick taken by Harry Maguire.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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