The long search for a win goes on for both Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday, who cancelled each other out with two goals inside three second-half minutes at Turf Moor.

Wade Elliott's 55th minute strike gave the hosts hope of a first win since November, but soon after Deon Burton headed an equaliser for Wednesday, who had lost five on the bounce coming into this game.

With both teams in such dreadful form, a scrappy start was somewhat inevitable, with Burnley doing what little attacking there was in the opening stages.

Ade Akinbiyi's close-range header lacked the power to trouble Mark Crossley, and Steve Jones then made a complete hash of a great chance when all alone to meet Wade Elliott's cross.

Wednesday's first chance came from Chris Brunt's lofted free-kick. There was a suspicion of handball as Burton brought it down, but his shot had to be hacked clear by Joey Gudjonsson.

The Icelandic midfielder almost scored in unorthodox fashion in the 23rd minute. Having twice fluffed short-corner routines, his third effort curled all the way onto the roof of the bar at the far post. Burton should have put Wednesday ahead moments later when the ball fell to him on the penalty spot, but his placed shot was well saved by Danny Coyne, back in the Burnley goal after Mike Pollitt was recalled by Wigan this week.

Burnley's penalty appeals were waved away after some unorthodox defending by Lee Bullen to keep out Akinbiyi, and Wednesday raced to the other end where Wade Small fired narrowly over.

Coyne made a fine save to deny Spurr who was unmarked at the far post, and Wednesday were inches away from a penalty five minutes before the break when Small was brought down right on the edge of the area, with Brunt sending the free-kick narrowly wide.

Akinbiyi almost had the last word in the half, bustling Bullen off the ball before hitting a half-volley that Crossley did well to keep out.

Wednesday bossed the opening stages of the second half, but could not create any chances for their strikers and paid the price in the 55th minute.

The Wednesday defence was static as Akinbiyi's flick-on fell perfectly for Elliott and he smashed a low shot which had too much power for Crossley.

Wednesday's response was immediate and emphatic. Brunt's corner landed right in the danger zone and Burton met it with bullet header to leave Coyne with no chance. Gray and Elliott both shot straight at Crossley as Burnley poured forward, and there was a great chance for Gray when Akinbiyi beat Crossley to a lofted ball, only for his strike-partner to blaze over with the rebound.

Brunt then went for the spectacular at the other end, spotting Coyne off his line and hitting a 40-yard free-kick that was just scrambled wide. Watson went close from the resulting corner. Small then raced clear on the right again, and Coyne did well to claw away his deflected shot.

Small went even closer moments later when his shot struck McGreal to find its way onto the post with Coyne wrong-footed.

Wednesday were again dominating possession as the clock wound down, but with few chances being created it was Burnley who could attack on the break, with McGreal's long punt finding Kyle Lafferty who fired just wide under close attention from Spurr.

At the other end, Wednesday's left-back hit an audacious shot from the wing which went just over.

There was just time for one more great chance for Burnley, with Akinbiyi flicking on a cross to Elliott who saw his powerful shot turned wide.

Teams:

Burnley Coyne, Duff, Caldwell, McGreal, Harley, Elliott,James O'Connor, Gudjonsson (Djemba-Djemba 77),Jones (McCann 83), Akinbiyi, Gray (Lafferty 76).

Subs Not Used: Thomas, Foster.

Booked: James O'Connor.

Goals: Elliott 55.

Sheff Wed Crossley, Watson, Simek, Bullen, Spurr,Small (Clarke 88), Lunt, Folly, Brunt, Burton,MacLean (Tudgay 88).

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Gilbert, Beevers.

Goals: Burton 58.

Att: 12,745

Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).