Bartosz Slusarski scored his first goal in a second loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in a lacklustre draw against Blackpool who were beginning life after the controversial departure of manager Paul Grayson.

West Brom striker Slusarski buried Steve Watson's cross low into the bottom corner in the 55th minute to secure the Owls a point after Blackpool striker Alan Gow had scored his second goal in as many matches from the penalty spot three minutes after the interval.

Blackpool, considering legal action against both Leeds and Grayson after the West Yorkshire club announced his instalment as Gary McAllister's replacement two days before Christmas, laboured under the guidance of caretaker bosses Steve Thompson and Tony Parkes.

But in an uninspired first period Wednesday were no better and although both sides improved after the break it was a game of few clear-cut chances.

Owls manager Brian Laws made three changes to the side that lost at Cardiff last time out, with Wade Small, Francis Jeffers and Watson all returning to the starting line-up.

Thompson and Parkes also made three changes with captain Rob Edwards, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Alan Gow back for the Seasiders.

Watson was first to threaten for the home side with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that Paul Rachubka held, while at the other end Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant dealt well with three successive corners as the visitors stepped up the pressure.

Blackpool midfielder Taylor-Fletcher's shot was blocked by Tommy Spurr, who later saw his venomous free-kick from the edge of the area brilliantly saved by Rachubka.

Owls veteran Watson was next to bring the best out of Rachubka with another angled drive, but Blackpool responded with long-range efforts from Kyel Reid and Edwards, who blasted over the crossbar.

But Blackpool broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart. Owls defender Lewis Buxton impeded Shaun Barker in the penalty area and referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate in awarding the visitors a penalty, which was confidently drilled into the top corner by Gow.

Wednesday refused to buckle though and were back on terms 12 minutes later.

Watson crossed from the left and Slusarski swept the ball home left-footed into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Blackpool midfielder Keith Southern forced a fine save from Grant soon after with a 20-yard shot and Owls striker Marcus Tudgay's volley was blocked by Edwards as both sides went in search of a second goal in a see-saw second period.

Jeffers then brought the home faithful to their feet with an overhead kick 10 yards from goal which was superbly turned away by Rachubka as the Owls began to take control in pursuit of a 10th win of the season.

But in a rare attack in the closing stages Blackpool forward Liam Dickinson, on loan from Derby, rifled a shot over the crossbar from 20 yards, but both sides were happy to share the spoils.

Teams:

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr, Small (McAllister 73), O'Connor (Modest 83), Watson, Slusarski,Tudgay, Jeffers (Boden 76).

Subs Not Used: Lekaj, Smith.

Booked: Buxton, O'Connor.

Goals: Slusarski 55.

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Edwards, Evatt, Martin, Reid, Southern, Fox, Dickinson, Gow, Taylor-Fletcher.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Hammill, Vaughan, Baptiste, Burgess.

Booked: Reid, Southern, Dickinson, Taylor-Fletcher.

Goals: Gow 48 pen.

Att: 25,044

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).