Morgan Whittaker's sixth-minute strike gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 win over bottom side Sheffield Wednesday in an eerie, near-empty Hillsborough, as home fans stayed away in protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Boro carved out a succession of chances to kill the game and were denied what looked a clear penalty when Joe Lumley brought down Tommy Conway, but Rob Edwards' team still claimed a seventh victory in 11 Championship matches to move within a point of leaders Coventry City. A much-improved second half from Henrik Pedersen's men, plus a string of saves from debutant goalkeeper Lumley, kept the Owls in contention, yet their third straight defeat leaves them winless in six home league fixtures, with only one goal scored and 15 conceded at Hillsborough.
Boycott Empties Hillsborough but Not the Away End
The contest unfolded against an extraordinary backdrop, with vast swathes of Hillsborough left empty as Wednesday supporters continued their boycott of home matches in opposition to Chansiri's ownership. With a winding-up petition from HMRC looming over the club and reports of an unpaid tax bill fuelling anger, many fans chose not to enter the ground at all, making good on their promise to stay away.