Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 Peterborough (5-5 agg – 5-3 on pens): Owls stage sensational comeback

Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 Peterborough (5-5 agg – 5-3 on pens): Owls complete one of the greatest comebacks EVER by overturning a four-goal deficit in the first leg – before winning on penalties – to take a book a spot in League One game-off final at Wembley

  • Strikes from Matt Smith and Lee Gregory gave the hosts a perfect start
  • Reece James made it 3-0 before Liam Palmer scored a fourth in the 98th minute
  • Dan Butler missed the decisive penalty and hit the crossbar from Boro’s second kick

Sheffield Wednesday made a sensational comeback by beating Peterborough in the semi-finals of the League One play-offs as they overcame a 4–0 deficit to win on penalties.

Smith got the Owls to the start they needed as he buried a penalty in the eighth minute to send Hillsborough into a frenzy.

Lee Gregory then made it 2-0 before the quarter of an hour by tapping in Callum Paterson’s shot in front of the goal.

The hosts then remarkably got a third with 20 minutes left as Reece James beat Will Norris with a clean finish from a tight angle to set up a nervous finish for the visitors, who risked their deficit of four to squander goals in the first leg.

And in the eighth minute of extra time, Sheffield Wednesday completed their miraculous comeback as Liam Palmer turned in Flint’s header to send the tie into extra time.

While Wednesday had the moment, they had to do it all over again as hero Gregory turned into his own net in the first half of extra time.

Wednesday responded again through Calum Paterson to make it 5-1 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate, forcing the tie to go to penalties.

Dan Butler hit the crossbar from Boro’s second penalty, and the rest went on a clinical trial on Wednesday, booking their places at Wembley.

Full match report to follow

Liam Palmer scored in the 112th minute to make it 5-1 and 5-5 in a thrilling draw

Sheffield Wednesday completed the most remarkable comeback to send their tie into extra time

Sheffield Wednesday completed the most remarkable comeback to send their tie into extra time

Liam Palmer scored in the 98th minute to clear Peterborough's four-goal deficit in the first leg

Liam Palmer scored in the 98th minute to clear Peterborough’s four-goal deficit in the first leg

The Peterborough players have their heads in their hands after conceding in the closing stages

The Peterborough players have their heads in their hands after conceding in the closing stages

Matt Smith (right) got the hosts off to a brilliant start by converting a penalty in the eighth minute

Matt Smith (right) got the hosts off to a brilliant start by converting a penalty in the eighth minute

Owl striker Smith stepped up to convert the penalty to get the Owls to their desired start

Owl striker Smith stepped up to convert the penalty to get the Owls to their desired start

Smith (left) sends Posh goalkeeper Will Norris (center) the wrong way with his penalty kick

Smith (left) sends Posh goalkeeper Will Norris (center) the wrong way with his penalty kick

Lee Gregory celebrates after doubling Sheffield Wednesday's lead in the first half

Lee Gregory celebrates after doubling Sheffield Wednesday’s lead in the first half

Gregory was in the right place at the right time to turn in Callum Paterson's (not pictured) shot

Gregory was in the right place at the right time to turn in Callum Paterson’s (not pictured) shot

Reece James gave even more hope on Wednesday by scoring his side's third goal in the second half

Reece James gave even more hope on Wednesday by scoring his side’s third goal in the second half

Blackpool's mercenary (No. 33) squeezed the ball into the net, ensuring a nervous finish for Posh

Blackpool’s mercenary (No. 33) squeezed the ball into the net, ensuring a nervous finish for Posh

Gregory spun into his own goal in extra time, needing another goal on Wednesday

Gregory spun into his own goal in extra time, needing another goal on Wednesday

MATCH FACTS

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: (3-4-2-1) Dawson; Iorfa (flint 90+2), Ihiekwe, James (Vaulks 88); Palmer, Paterson, Bannan, Johnson (brown 102); Windass, Smith; Gregorius (Hunt 109

Subs not used: Stockdale (GK); Adeniran, Bakinson

Goals: Smith (PEN 8), Gregory (25), James (71), Palmer (90+8), Paterson (112)

Bookings: Palmer (6), Bannan (48), Ihiekwe (99), Hunt (120)

Coach: Darren Moore

PETERBOROUGH: (4-2-3-1) Norris; Ward (N Thompson 46), Kent, Edwards, Burrows (Butler 46); Kyprianou (Jade-Jones 94), Norburn; Poku (Knight 80), Taylor, Mason-Clarke (Tshimanga 120+1); Clarke Harris

Subs not used: Blackmore (GK); Ben Thompson

Goals: Gregory (OG 105)

Bookings: Kyprianou (17), Butler (71), Taylor (88)

Coach: Darren Ferguson

Referee: David Webb (County Durham)

Player of the match: To be determined

Location: Hillsborough

Presence: 31,835