James O'Connor grabbed a controversial second-half equaliser as managerless Sheffield Wednesday held Championship leaders Newcastle United.
O'Connor smashed the ball in after Luke Varney's challenge on Steve Harper saw the ball bounce down off the bar.
Varney headed the Owls in front early on from O'Connor's superb centre.
But Kevin Nolan's glorious header from Danny Guthrie's fine cross made it 1-1 and Shola Ameobi put the visitors ahead after a classy turn and quality finish.
Ameobi's strike was every bit as contentious as the home side's second goal, as the big frontman appeared to be two yards offside when he received the ball.
But the Owls will probably be happy enough with a fully deserved point from an enthralling game despite seeing their winless league run extended to 11 matches.
Certainly their lively start defied their lowly league position and they went ahead on 14 minutes when Varney's header punished some sloppy defending following a corner.
It was their first goal in more than than 10 hours of Championship football but the Magpies were level within five minutes when Nolan guided a wonderful header into the top corner.
Ameobi then gave Chris Hughton's side a half-time lead with a superbly taken but barely deserved strike.
The home side rallied after the break and O'Connor's close-range finish drew them level.
Harper was furious, claiming on-loan Derby County striker Varney jumped into him with his arm from the cross which led to O'Connor's simple finish.
Both sides had good chances to win the match in the final half an hour.
Owls winger Jermaine Johnson miskicked when well placed and Harper made a brilliant save to deny Marcus Tudgay when he blocked his point-blank header from close range.
At the other end Ameobi forced a fine diving stop from Lee Grant and substitute Andy Carroll was also denied by the Owls keeper.
Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Sean McAuley: "They're a difficult nut to crack and I think we did really well.
"Nobody expected us to get anything out of the game so that took a bit of pressure off.
"The players deserve all the credit. We were really pleased with the way they approached the game.
"They played with no fear and I thought their reaction in the second half was spot-on because we needed to stay disciplined."
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton: "It was most definitely a foul for their equaliser, but it wasn't one of our better performances.
"We have no given right to win any game and we faced a spirited Sheffield Wednesday side.
"We didn't start the game well and gave away a poor goal.
"I think it's disappointing, whenever you lead in a game, if you don't go on and finish the job off."
90:00+4:02 The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00+2:59 Etienne Esajas challenges Danny Simpson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nicky Butt restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+1:27 Sanchez Jose Enrique takes a shot. Blocked by Tom Soares.
87:32 Free kick awarded for a foul by James O'Connor on Kevin Nolan. Sanchez Jose Enrique restarts play with the free kick.
87:04 The ball is delivered by Etienne Esajas.
85:59 Corner taken right-footed by Darren Potter, save by Steve Harper.
85:17 Andrew Carroll concedes a free kick for a foul on Darren Purse. Lee Grant restarts play with the free kick.
83:48 Substitution Peter Lovenkrands joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marlon Harewood.
83:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Guthrie on Darren Purse. Lee Grant takes the free kick.
82:30 Unfair challenge on Andrew Carroll by Mark Beevers results in a free kick. Nicky Butt takes the direct free kick.
80:12 Etienne Esajas concedes a free kick for a foul on Fabricio Coloccini. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.
78:39 Leon Clarke takes a shot. Blocked by Fabricio Coloccini. Corner taken by Darren Potter from the right by-line.
77:42 The ball is swung over by Nicky Butt, save by Lee Grant.
76:21 Unfair challenge on Fabricio Coloccini by Leon Clarke results in a free kick. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.
75:39 Effort on goal by Fabrice Pancrate from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.
75:11 Steve Harper takes the free kick.
75:11 Booking The referee shows Marcus Tudgay a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
75:02 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sanchez Jose Enrique by Marcus Tudgay.
73:20 Andrew Carroll takes a shot. Lee Grant makes a save.
72:56 Substitution Andrew Carroll is brought on as a substitute for Shola Ameobi.
70:35 The offside flag is raised against Marlon Harewood. Free kick taken by Lee Grant.
68:43 Kevin Nolan fouled by Marcus Tudgay, the ref awards a free kick. Sanchez Jose Enrique takes the direct free kick.
68:18 Substitution Leon Clarke on for Luke Varney.
68:05 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicky Butt by Marcus Tudgay. Steve Harper takes the direct free kick.
66:02 Shola Ameobi takes a shot. Save by Lee Grant. Corner taken by Danny Guthrie from the right by-line.
64:37 Tom Soares takes a shot. Blocked by Fabricio Coloccini. Marcus Tudgay takes a shot. Save made by Steve Harper. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Darren Potter from the left by-line, save by Steve Harper.
63:44 Foul by Marlon Harewood on Mark Beevers, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Lee Grant.
63:11 Substitution Jonas Gutierrez leaves the field to be replaced by Fabrice Pancrate.
62:22 Foul by Luke Varney on Sanchez Jose Enrique, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Steve Harper.
61:20 Substitution Etienne Esajas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jermaine Johnson.
61:10 Sanchez Jose Enrique sends in a cross, Darren Purse manages to make a clearance.
60:51 Marcus Tudgay concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicky Butt. Free kick taken by Steven Taylor.
58:19 Assist by Luke Varney.
58:19 GOAL - James O'Connor:Sheff Wed 2 - 2 Newcastle James O'Connor scores a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Sheff Wed 2-2 Newcastle.
55:19 Shola Ameobi concedes a free kick for a foul on James O'Connor. Darren Purse takes the free kick.
54:11 Effort on goal by Jermaine Johnson from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
53:21 Marlon Harewood challenges Darren Potter unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Grant restarts play with the free kick.
50:56 The offside flag is raised against Kevin Nolan. Lee Grant takes the direct free kick.
48:17 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Darren Potter, Headed effort from inside the area by Mark Beevers misses to the left of the target.
47:10 Luke Varney takes a shot. Steven Taylor gets a block in. Corner taken by Darren Potter.
45:57 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Darren Potter from the right by-line to the near post.
45:19 Marlon Harewood is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Lee Grant takes the free kick.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:12 The players leave the pitch at half time.
43:00 Foul by Marcus Tudgay on Nicky Butt, free kick awarded. Steve Harper restarts play with the free kick.
42:13 The assistant referee flags for offside against Shola Ameobi. Direct free kick taken by Lee Grant.
41:34 Jermaine Johnson produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
39:49 Luke Varney concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicky Butt. Steve Harper takes the direct free kick.
35:33 Danny Guthrie delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, save made by Steve Harper.
35:33 Booking The referee shows Luke Varney a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
35:24 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sanchez Jose Enrique by Luke Varney.
32:46 The official flags Shola Ameobi offside. Direct free kick taken by Lee Grant.
30:18 Jermaine Johnson sends in a cross, save by Steve Harper.
29:35 Tommy Spurr fouled by Marlon Harewood, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Grant takes the direct free kick.
28:46 Nicky Butt takes a shot. Save by Lee Grant.
27:45 The ball is swung over by Sanchez Jose Enrique, clearance by Tommy Spurr.
27:04 Luke Varney challenges Sanchez Jose Enrique unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
24:53 Marlon Harewood fouled by Darren Potter, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Simpson takes the direct free kick.
21:46 Jonas Gutierrez provided the assist for the goal.
21:46 GOAL - Shola Ameobi:Sheff Wed 1 - 2 Newcastle Shola Ameobi fires in a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Sheff Wed 1-2 Newcastle.
20:56 The referee penalises Steven Taylor for handball. Lee Grant restarts play with the free kick.
19:49 Luke Varney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nicky Butt. Steve Harper takes the direct free kick.
18:20 Danny Guthrie provided the assist for the goal.
18:20 GOAL - Kevin Nolan:Sheff Wed 1 - 1 Newcastle Kevin Nolan finds the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Sheff Wed 1-1 Newcastle.
16:58 James O'Connor sends in a cross.
16:05 Effort from 25 yards by Marcus Tudgay. Steven Taylor gets a block in.
15:12 Tommy Spurr fouled by Marlon Harewood, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Grant.
13:47 Assist on the goal came from James O'Connor.
13:47 GOAL - Luke Varney:Sheff Wed 1 - 0 Newcastle Luke Varney scores a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Sheff Wed 1-0 Newcastle.
13:15 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Darren Potter played to the near post, Shola Ameobi manages to make a clearance.
11:32 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Frank Simek by Shola Ameobi. Direct free kick taken by Lee Grant.
10:59 Sanchez Jose Enrique fouled by Marcus Tudgay, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steve Harper.
9:28 Darren Potter has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the target.
9:22 The ball is crossed by James O'Connor.
7:29 Danny Simpson fouled by James O'Connor, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Guthrie crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel.
6:40 Danny Simpson fouled by Jermaine Johnson, the ref awards a free kick. Steve Harper takes the free kick.
6:26 Jermaine Johnson delivers the ball, Nicky Butt manages to make a clearance.
3:52 Darren Potter takes a outswinging corner.
Correction - 1:56 Corner taken by Darren Potter from the left by-line.
1:56 Corner taken by Darren Potter, clearance made by Fabricio Coloccini.
1:40 Tommy Spurr crosses the ball, Sanchez Jose Enrique makes a clearance.
0:36 Darren Potter takes a shot. Blocked by Nicky Butt.
0:00 The match has kicked off.
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