Hull City's top six ascent was dealt a blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Championship bottom club Sheffield Wednesday.

The Tigers twice hit back through Mohamed Belloumi and Matt Crooks but could not find a winner.

Svante Ingelsson and Bailey Cadamarteri put a depleted Owls side ahead in either half.

The Tigers are fourth after their three-game winning run was ended, while Wednesday remain 30 points adrift after points deductions due to financial issues.

The home side made a really impressive start with fullback Harry Amass heavily involved. His byline cross narrowly evaded Jamal Lowe at the far post after clever linkup with Barry Bannan.

Ingelsson broke the deadlock on 20 minutes with a smart finish direct from goalkeeper Pierce Charles' long clearance. It was nothing short of what they deserved.

Hull took half an hour to create a proper chance and Belloumi was unlucky not to equalise after turning Oli McBurnie's cross goalwards with Liam Cooper's effort then cleared off the line.

Just six minutes later, though, Belloumi did level having received Crooks' searching ball before he fired low past Charles at the near post.

After a strong start to the second half, Hull were looking to impose themselves, but Wednesday retook the lead against the run of play when Cadamarteri lobbed Ivor Pandur after latching onto Bannan's lofted pass.

Just as they did in the first half, Hull hit back quickly. Moments after miscuing a free header in the area, the ball fell nicely for Crooks and he slotted home.

Once again, the visitors couldn't find that extra gear to grab a winner. Enis Destan headed tamely wide from Ryan Giles' cross in stoppage time, but that was as close as they came.

Ultimately, it was a frustrating afternoon for Hull, who could have gone third with a win but didn't do enough.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield: "I'm happy and proud of a performance where we were part of the game for 98 minutes.

"Hull are a strong team; they won their past three games. We played with six senior players, I have the biggest respect for how they led the young guys but also how the guys who came in did really well.

"Today we were very strong in the first 35 minutes. In the second half, we played without the ball because they are a top team in the league. The boys kept going and stayed together; we went up 2-1 and conceded an easy goal. But big respect.

"We struggled defensively on our left side, but we have to grow. But our medium press was good. There is a lot of things to be happy with but things to improve."

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic speaking to BBC Radio Humberside: "We played like it was Christmas today, not yesterday.

"We were very very poor in the first half, no control and very low energy. We made bad decisions in possession, but started to play after we conceded.

"In the second half, we controlled much more and we had good possession. We created more. Their second goal was clearly offside; the referee was poor but my team was also poor. I cannot complain so much.

"I'm very disappointed. We can't change anything; we did everything in preparation. Psychologically, I knew it would be difficult because everyone was counting on three points."