Lee Gregory scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Sheffield Wednesday overcame relegation-threatened AFC Wimbledon at Hillsborough to move to fifth in League One.
The Owls’ number nine stooped to head home substitute Callum Paterson’s headed cross in what could prove to be a pivotal goal in Wednesday’s pursuit of promotion back to the Championship.
Wednesday took the lead in the first-half when captain Barry Bannan’s delicious curling cross from the left saw right wing-back Jack Hunt on hand to head beyond goalkeeper Nik Tzanev in the 12th minute.
It felt as though it could be a long afternoon for the visitors when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was then slipped in expertly by Hunt four minutes later, although he could only stroke wide to the left.
This profligacy presented The Dons with a route back into the match and Wimbledon’s strike partnership combined to force the equaliser.
Zach Robinson took advantage of space on the right and he pulled the ball back to Ayoub Assal who struck fiercely past Bailey Peacock-Farrell into the roof of the net.
The goal gave Wimbledon, winless in 21 games in all competitions, confidence and they grew into the game.
The game proceeded to be an attritional affair with The Owls endeavouring to unlock a stubborn Wimbledon rear-guard.
George Byers shot straight down Tzanev’s throat before Bannan teed up Mendez-Laing to force a strong save in the 76th minute.
The Dons still posed a threat on the break and spurned a glorious chance when Peacock-Farrell foiled Assal through on goal in the 82nd minute.
Owls’ manager Darren Moore responded by bringing on Paterson and Olamide Shodipo in search of a winner.
He was rewarded when Bannan floated in a cross to the back post, Paterson rose highest and Gregory pounced to send Hillsborough into raptures.
The Owls had a priceless winner in their promotion pursuit.
Sheffield Wednesday: Peacock-Farrell; Iorfa (Berahino 67′), Dean, Hutchinson; Hunt, Byers (Paterson 86′), Luongo, Bannan, Johnson; Mendez-Laing (Shodipo 86′), Gregory. Unused subs: Wildsmith, Dunkley, Dele-Bashiru, Sow.
AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev Nightingale, Heneghan, Csoka; Lawrence, Marsh (Hartigan 72′), Woodyard, Rudoni, Osew; Robinson (Osei Yaw 78′), Assal (Awokoya-Mebude 86′). Unused subs: Broome, Guiness-Walker, Brown, Kalambayi.
Bookings: Sheffield Wednesday: Gregory 52′, Dean 91′.
AFC Wimbledon: Csoka 96′.
Goals: Sheffield Wednesday: Hunt 11′, Gregory 92′.
AFC Wimbledon: Assal 22′.
Player of the Match: Barry Bannan.
Attendance: 22,374
Referee: Peter Wright