Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Leyton Orient: Sunday Mirror match report

Lewis Buxton is more used to getting jeers than cheers at Hillsborough.

But the serial whipping-boy of Sheffield Wednesday’s fiercely critical fans went from zero to hero with his second goal for the Owls since joining from Stoke in January 2009.

Defender Buxton, 26, headed home a 52nd-minute winner to send Alan Irvine’s side surging into a place among League One’s promotion contenders.

Irvine said: “Lewis defended well and seemed to get better and better as the game went on.

“The goal was also pleasing from the point of view that it is something we work on in training.

“But it was strange at the end because our dressing-room was like a morgue. We may have won, but the lads knew they didn’t perform like they can.

“Sometimes to achieve what you want to achieve in this game, you have to win ugly. Even Barcelona and Manchester United have to grind out results at times.”

Defeat left Orient chief Russell Slade declaring: “We were magnificent at times but it just didn’t happen for us out there.

“We have just got to keep believing in what we are doing and, if we continue to play the way we are, then results will come for us.

Hard-up Wednesday went into the game boosted by the knowledge that all their money troubles might soon be behind them.

The consortium planning a £17 million buy-out have handed the Owls £2 million up front to ease their cash flow problems.

Orient made the brighter start, Scott McGleish picking out his strike partner Alex Revell with a delightful cross. Revell powered a close-range header towards the roof of the net, but keeper Nicky Weaver pulled out a super save.

The Owls responded with a low-angled drive from Gary Teale which Orient keeper Lee Butcher did well to turn away at full stretch.

There was more zest to Wednesday’s play at the start of the second-half, but it still came as something of a surprise when Buxton, so impressive in defence, nodded in what proved to be the winner from Teale’s corner.

And, despite that strike, it was Weaver who continued to be his side’s star-turn, making another fine save to deny Ben Chorley on 59 minutes.

Despite more pressure from the visitors, though, Irvine’s troops held out.