Yan Valery gives Sheffield Wednesday victory at Peterborough

Defender Yan Valery scored the winner for the Owls in the 79th minute after Posh’s Ben Woods had cancelled out Josh Feeney’s own goal.

It gave Henrik Pedersen’s team a fourth win in five matches, following their relegation from the Championship.

The hosts started brightly with captain Harry Leonard’s early effort saved by Joe Lumley, before Kieran Morrison’s left-footed strike forced a good stop out of Alex Bass at the other end.

Wednesday took the lead in the 38th minute when Morrison chipped the ball over the onrushing Bass before David Okagbue’s attempted clearance off the line came back off the unfortunate Feeney and into the net.

Peterborough came close to equalising almost instantly but Leonard’s volley hit the inside of the post after a good cross from Ethan Williams.

They did draw level two minutes after half-time, though, with Woods heading home from James Dornelly’s impressive delivery.

The home side really started turning the screw thereafter and nearly went ahead when Lumley had to prevent Wednesday team-mate Reece James from inadvertently heading the ball into his own goal.

However, the visitors still looked threatening and nearly restored their advantage just beyond the hour mark as Barry Bannan swept a left-footed shot narrowly wide.

The decisive goal did arrive with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, with Valery directing in Morrison’s corner with a headed attempt which appeared to come off the 27-year-old’s shoulder.

Harry Ashfield came closest to bringing Posh back onto level terms but his shot from distance late on went inches wide of the target.