First Division strugglers Grimsby were unable to make the extra man count as 10-man Sheffield Wednesday comfortably held on for a share of spoils at Blundell Park.

Both sides were guilty of missing several clear-cut chances during a frenetic and entertaining opening period.

Wednesday were then reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Danny Maddix was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Grimsby, who scored six goals against Wimbledon just nine days ago, were unable to find a cutting edge to their play and had to settle for a point.

The Mariners had made a fast start and Stacy Coldicott forced an early save from Kevin Pressman with a well-struck shot.

But the powerful Shefki Kuqi threatened for the Owls in the third minute when he headed wide from 18 yards.

Kuqi, a £1million buy from Stockport in January, then drilled a shot the other side of the post in the sixth minute.

The visitors started to dominate the game and loan signing Jon McCarthy drifted a shot narrowly wide.

The influential Birmingham City winger also forced a scrambled clearance from Stuart Campbell as Grimsby were forced on to the back foot.

Michael Boulding, one of Town's hat-trick heroes in the win over Wimbledon, relieved some of the pressure on the home defence when he blasted an effort wide in the 19th minute.

Despite a spell of sustained pressure from Wednesday, it was the hosts who almost opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Danny Butterfield curled over a corner from the right and Andy Todd powered a header just wide with Pressman well beaten.

The scoring chance appeared to lift Grimsby and Pressman did well to keep out Alan Pouton's fierce 25-yard shot five minutes later.

Grimsby finished the half strongly - and they were given big boost at the start of the second.

The game had only just restarted when Wednesday's experienced defender Maddix was dismissed for a second bookable offence on live-wire forward Boulding.

The 27-year-old almost added insult to injury soon after when he burst forward before firing an effort just wide.

Wednesday were forced to regroup and Matt Hamshaw replaced Dutchman Gerald Sibon in the 64th minute. It almost proved an inspired substitution but Hamshaw's fierce volley flew inches wide.

Boulding tried a speculative 30-yard shot in the 84th minute, and player-boss Paul Groves forced a save from Pressman soon after.

However, Wednesday defended stoutly and a draw was probably a fair result on the day.

Teams:

Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Todd, Groves, Gallimore, Butterfield, Pouton, Coldicott, Campbell (Robinson 90), Allen, Boulding.

Subs Not Used: Ford, Croudson, Burnett, Falconer.

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Haslam, Broomes, Maddix, Burrows, McCarthy, McLaren, Donnelly (Geary 49), Quinn, Sibon (Hamshaw 65), Kuqi (Ekoku 90).

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Siddall.

Sent Off: Maddix (47).

Booked: Maddix, Geary.

Att: 9,236

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).