Leicester City Fights Back at Sheffield Wednesday but Remains in Relegation Zone

Jordan Ayew's late strike denied Sheffield Wednesday their first home victory of the Championship season, but it wasn't enough to propel Leicester out of the relegation zone as they settled for a 1-1 draw with the league's bottom side. Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper, Pierce Charles, made a string of incredible saves in a match the Foxes desperately needed to win to climb above fellow strugglers Oxford and Portsmouth. Jerry Yates' early goal in the second minute nearly secured the hosts' first three points since September, but Ayew's quality finish in the 84th minute limited the Owls to just one point. The hosts got off to a perfect start, with the Leicester defense failing to clear Svante Ingelsson's corner, allowing Yates to score. Abdul Fatawu was the first of many visiting players to have a great opportunity to equalize, but he scuffed his effort wide. Oliver Skipp thought he had done everything right when he fired a volley at goal, but Charles made a brilliant point-blank save. Stephy Mavididi curled in an attempt from distance, but Charles was there once more to tip it around the post in the last chance of the first half. Harry Winks' driven effort was collected comfortably by Charles as Leicester resumed on the front foot after the break. Wednesday had a golden chance to double their lead when substitute Olaf Kobacki drove at the Leicester defense and played in Liam Palmer, but the Owls captain placed his shot inches wide. Mukasa was the next to hit an effort at goal, but the Wednesday keeper was there yet again to palm to safety. Leicester will have been starting to lose hope when substitute Ayew hit the post, and Mavididi and captain Ricardo Pereira were denied by an unbelievable Charles double save in a matter of a few minutes. Charles' goal was finally breached six minutes from time when Ayew got through and blasted an unstoppable right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner from just outside the box. The Foxes kept pushing for a winner and were so close to finding it from Ayew's header deep into added time, but man of the match Charles stretched out an arm to frustrate the visitors even further. The point sees Leicester move into 22nd place, one point behind fourth-bottom Portsmouth with just five Championship games remaining. Sheffield Wednesday's Henrik Pedersen said, 'I saw another massive effort today. Of course, it is disappointing to concede the late goal, but the players gave everything they could to get the win. We have played against a top team with Premier League players who needed to win to get out of the bottom three, so we knew we would come under maximum pressure.' Leicester's Gary Rowett said, 'It's obviously hugely frustrating on the whole and a big disappointment we haven't won the game after having so many chances. I get the narrative you have to come here and win, but a lot of teams haven't had it easy against Sheffield Wednesday this season.'