Gerry Taggart took another step towards a possible career in coaching when he helped assistant manager Jan De Koning in this Pontins Holidays League One Central fixture at Hillsborough.

But even his touchline influence could not prevent a side including eight first-team squad members going down to their first away defeat of the season.

For many observers it was a youngster, goalkeeper Robert Duggan, who distinguished himself most.He made a series of good saves, before Bruce Dyer threatened the Wednesday goal with a chip and Hannes Sigurdsson had a shot blocked.

Dublin-born Duggan, 18, was just as busy in the second-half, and couldn't be blamed for the decisive goal on the hour, when fellow Irishman Barry Corr scored with a well-placed side-footed volley.

Dyer twice went close to notching an equaliser but was out of luck.

Karl Henry and Anthony Pulis always tried to play creative football, Andy Wilkinson was prominent in defence, while of the promoted young Academy players, defender Ryan Shotton and winger Matthew Hazley both showed signs of promise.

It was also encouraging to see Peter Sweeney, sidelined by a stress fracture of his back since the pre-season friendly against Newcastle Town in July, having a 60-minute run-out.

Line-Up: Robert Duggan, John Halls, Matthew Hazley (Norbert Zsivozcky), Karl Henry, Andy Wilkinson, Ryan Shotton, Martin Paterson, Anthony Pulis, Hannes Sigurdsson, Bruce Dyer, Peter Sweeney (John Quigley).

Unused substitutes: Josh Wilson, Robert Garrett, Sean Robinson.