Stoke 0-0 Sheffield Wed

Stoke missed the chance to take three points against the Owls when Kevin Harper blazed a late penalty over.

John Hills fouled Carl Hoefkens in the box, but substitute Harper was unable to convert the resulting spot-kick.

The Potters, fielding six new faces, worked hard to stay in the game after veteran Gerry Taggart was sent off for a foul on Leon Best after 13 minutes.

Wednesday did not take advantage of the extra man and when Lee Peacock did head home he was called back for offside.

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Stoke assistant manager Jan de Koning:
"Our director of football John Rudge is watching the video and he might appeal.

"In my opinion it was not a sending off. It was a late tackle and he was too late for the ball.

"I thought it was a yellow card. He wanted to get the ball but the player just chipped the ball away."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock:
"I think I'll have an ulcer by Christmas. There was a naivety out there. We're a very young side and we're going to have to learn quickly.

"There were spells in the game where we looked okay but you're talking about 18 19 and 20-year-old lads trying to perform at that kind of standard.

"We got a little culture shock with the pace of this league. The tempo was difficult for us to handle."

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Stoke: Simonsen, Halls, Taggart, Hoefkens, Broomes, Chadwick, Junior (Henry 90), Brammer, Kolar (Harper 72), Russell (Buxton 14), Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Dyer.

Sent Off: Taggart (13).

Sheff Wed: Lucas, Simek, Wood, Lee, Hills, Eagles (Partridge 78), Rocastle, Whelan, Brunt, Best (Proudlock 73), Peacock.
Subs Not Used: Adams, Heckingbottom, O'Brien.

Booked: Simek, Lee, Rocastle.

Att: 18,744

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).