Swansea lost further ground in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off race after being frustrated in an uninspiring goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez's side mounted a realistic challenge for successive promotions on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, but two successive league defeats - against Crystal Palace and QPR - have seen them fall off the pace in recent weeks.

Having started the day in ninth spot, five points off the top six, the Swans were unable to make up lost ground against Brian Laws' midtable Owls, who created the better chances despite conceding the lion's share of possession.

Wednesday's new loan signing Luke Varney, on as a first-half substitute, went closest to breaking the deadlock just before the break, but his shot was well saved by Swans goalkeeper Dorus De Vries.

De Vries also pulled off a stunning save in the 78th minute to keep out Owls defender Richard Hinds' header.

Richard Hinds and Darren Potter returned to the Owls' starting line-up in place of Mark Beevers and Michael Gray respectively, while Federico Bessone, Leon Britton, Mark Gower and Jason Scotland were all back for Swansea.

Jordi Gomez blasted a shot from 35 yards over the crossbar for the visitors early on, while at the other end Jermaine Johnson's effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Garry Monk.

Owls striker Marcus Tudgay then dragged his 12-yard shot wide but goalmouth chances were few and far between during the first 20 minutes.

Swansea wrestled a greater share of possession as the first half progressed, with Britton prominent in midfield, but Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant was rarely tested.

Owls midfielder Sean McAllister was forced out of the action through injury in the 35th minute and Varney, who arrived from Derby yesterday, made his first appearance for the home side.

Grant comfortably held another shot from outside the area from Gomez shortly before the interval as the first period ended scoreless.

Wednesday were rocked by another injury blow shortly after the restart when striker Francis Jeffers hobbled off and was replaced by Luke Boden.

Swansea went close to breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute when Gomez's curling 25-yard free-kick was well saved by Grant.

Potter flashed a left-footed shot well wide in the 68th minute, but by this stage the pattern of play had altered little from the first half, with Swansea shading possession but both sides lacking a quality touch in the final third.

De Vries kept Swansea level with a fine save to keep out Hinds' thumping header in the 79th minute and then did well to hold Marcus Tudgay's shot as Wednesday broke forward against the run of play.

Owls winger Johnson then rifled a shot from 20 yards over the crossbar and Tudgay headed wide in the closing stages as the home side briefly threatened to snatch all three points.

Teams

Sheff Wed Grant, Buxton, Hinds, Wood, Spurr, Potter,McAllister (Varney 35), O'Connor, Johnson, Jeffers (Boden 49),Tudgay.

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Simek, Beevers.

Booked: Potter, Varney.

Swansea De Vries, Williams, Monk, Bessone, Rangel,Pratley (Pintado 80), Britton, Gomez, Gower, Scotland, Allen.

Subs Not Used: Orlandi, MacDonald, Collins, Dyer.

Booked: Williams.

Att: 22,564

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).