24 years and counting

Last updated : 09 January 2017 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday's poor record against top flight teams in the F.A. Cup was extended on Sunday when the Owls were beaten 3-0 at Middlesbrough in the 3rd round.

After an even, uneventful first-half Wednesday fell behind when Barry Bannan needless lost possession on the edge of his own box and conceded a free-kick which Grant Leadbitter scored from with a low strike that went in on goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith's side.

Barely a minute later Wednesday appeared to be back in the game when Daniel Ayala saw red for a crude challenge on Forestieri but with a little over 20 minutes to go the Owls gifted Boro the cushion of a 2 goal lead. Wildsmith played a poor goal-kick to Pudil who had little option but to go back to his keeper, Wildsmith then fired his clearance at Negredo at point-blank range in the 6-yard box and the ball rebounded into the goal.

Wednesday were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Forestieri was felled in the box and the home side put gloss on the scoreline late on when DeRoon fired home after Wildsmith had made a smart save from Stuani who had waltzed through 2 half-hearted challenges.

The result means that Wednesday's failure to beat a Premier League side in the F.A. Cup is extended for another year. The Owls beat then fellow top flight side Sheffield United in the semi-finals of the famous competition in 1993. Since then they have failed to win an F.A. Cup game against a team from th