Sheffield Wednesday deputy manager Jamie Smith said the 1-1 draw against 10-man Bristol City in Hillsborough was “difficult”.
The relegation-threatened owls with no manager Darren Moore, who suffers from pneumonia caused by the contraction of Covid-19, were on their way to a pivotal victory when Julian Borner gave them an early lead.
They received another boost when the Robins sent Henri Lansbury off for deliberate handballs, but captain Barry Bannan saw goalkeeper Daniel Bentley save his free kick.
Wednesday, when Liam Palmer’s rocket shot hit a post, held his lead until three minutes before Tyreeq Bakinson struck.
A third game without a win left the Owls seven points behind the 21st derby, just four games.
Smith said, “It feels like defeat. I know it’s a point, but it’s not enough. If we look at the odds, we should have won the game.
“But we started very well [Bristol City] The drop to 10 men probably affected us more than they did.
“Barry is obviously disappointed, but it’s not your fault missing out on the sentence because it happens.
“The penalty wasn’t the reason we didn’t win the game. There were other opportunities that could have settled it.
“We had enough chances to win the game and that makes it feel like it was more of a loss than a draw.
“Until the descent is mathematically impossible, we will keep fighting. How else do you expect us?
“We can’t just give up and not show up. We still have to work.
“We could have controlled the game better. It’s just about taking the risk that is there.
“We knew beforehand that this was a big deal for us that we had to win. We didn’t win and want to go on and win on Tuesday evening. “
Robin’s boss Nigel Pearson praised his team’s courage against his old team.
He said, “I have questioned our commitment at times and other people have questioned it, but this was an example of the kind of answer we needed.
“Decisions weren’t always going in our direction and punishment is an example of that. He didn’t touch it, but I understand why it was given. In real time it looks like this.
“These things happen and the players reacted correctly.
“It’s a tough time for Wednesday, and Darren isn’t here either. I feel for her.
“I still have a lot of love for the club. It has been a huge part of myself and my family’s life so I am not very happy when I come here and contribute to a difficult situation.
“Tyreeq showed the right response, and it did it through performance. What we have to remember is that he is still a very young player. He was very good. “