Sheffield Wednesday moved up to second in League One after coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
It was a very different performance from Saturday's 7-2 win over Bromley.
Wednesday were not able to dominate for long periods, but they responded well to an early setback, created the better opportunities and showed plenty of character when Wycombe applied pressure during the second half.
It was the sort of away performance Henrik Pedersen will have wanted to see from his team.
An early mistake punished
Wednesday made a positive start, but found themselves behind after just six minutes.
Gabriel Otegbayo failed to deal with a ball over the top and his attempted header fell into the path of Cauley Woodrow, who finished beyond Joe Lumley.
It was a costly mistake and, I hate to say it, Otegbayo is struggling at the moment. There is clearly a player in there, and he recovered reasonably well after the goal, but errors are beginning to undermine otherwise solid periods in games.
He was also fortunate not to concede a penalty during the second half when a Caolan Boyd-Munce effort appeared to strike his arm.
With Ricardo Santos missing, is it time to give Ernie Weaver a start?
Weaver has had to wait patiently for his opportunity, but he made an impression after coming on and immediately threw himself into blocks and defensive headers.
Alex Miller of The Star reported that Santos is expected to return to the grass on Wednesday, although Pedersen could not provide a firm timescale for his recovery. His absence may only be brief, but Pedersen still has a decision to make in the centre of defence.
Barry provides the perfect response
The most encouraging part of the opening stages was Wednesday's reaction.
They did not lose their composure or abandon the game plan after going behind. Within five minutes, they were level after producing the best move of the match.
Jamal Lowe poked the ball into Barry Bannan, whose brilliant first-time pass released Louie Barry down the left. Barry carried the ball forward before finding Mason Burstow, whose shot was saved by Conor Hazard.
Barry continued his run and was perfectly placed to convert the rebound into an empty net.
It was an excellent goal. Bannan's vision opened the pitch, Burstow helped create the opportunity and Barry showed the desire to continue into the area after releasing the ball.
Pedersen praised the mentality of his players afterwards. Wednesday remained focused, trusted the plan and responded immediately rather than allowing the early mistake to define the game.
A worrying injury
Barry looked class during his brief time on the pitch.
He was direct, confident and caused problems whenever Wednesday found space to attack. Unfortunately, his evening ended just minutes after scoring when he appeared to jolt his footing on the artificial surface beside the touchline.
Barry looked in considerable pain and needed help from two members of Wednesday's medical team as he left the field.
Miller later reported that Barry returned to the dugout wearing a protective boot and using crutches. He will undergo a scan and full assessment on Wednesday.
Pedersen could not provide an initial diagnosis, admitting that the club must wait for the results before it knows the extent of the injury.
Hopefully it is nothing too serious. Barry now has three goals across his last two matches, having also contributed two assists against Bromley, and he gives Wednesday something different in the final third.
His ability to carry the ball at pace and attack defenders could be a major weapon this season.
Kieran Morrison replaced him on the left and worked hard, although he was unable to have the same influence he has shown when playing from the right.
Lowe knits it together
Wycombe began to apply more pressure as the first half progressed, but Wednesday found another big moment during added time.
Callum Slattery went down inside the area following a challenge involving Woodrow, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Wycombe strongly disputed the decision. Speaking after the game, first-team coach Alex Morris claimed Slattery was already going down and that Woodrow had not made contact.
Lowe was not distracted by the protests.
He stepped forward and absolutely buried the penalty, firing it into the roof of the net and giving Hazard no chance.
It was a top-drawer spot kick and Lowe's fifth goal of the season, including four in four League One appearances.
His contribution went beyond the winning goal. Lowe's link play helped knit Wednesday's attacks together, he was involved in the equaliser and he forced Hazard into another good save during the second half.
He looks full of confidence and was my standout player.
Heskey changes the midfield
The second half was more about resilience than attacking fluency.
Wycombe pushed forward, the home crowd found its voice and Wednesday began to surrender too much control in midfield.
The hosts thought they had equalised when Fred Onyedinma put the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out for handball. They also believed they should have received a penalty when Boyd-Munce's effort appeared to strike Otegbayo's arm.
Morris described the second incident as a "blatant handball", while maintaining that Wednesday's penalty should not have been awarded. Wycombe manager Michael Duff's frustration continued after the final whistle when he was sent off.
Wednesday certainly benefited from the major decisions, but they still had to show the composure required to take advantage.
Pedersen responded to Wycombe's pressure by introducing Jaden Heskey for Burstow, and the change helped alter the balance of the game.
Heskey was key to calming things down in the middle of the park. He gave Wednesday more energy and composure, and plenty of the play began to flow through him after he came on.
It was an impressive second debut and an immediate reminder of why Pedersen was so keen to bring him back to Hillsborough.
Billy Mitchell also had another strong game, retaining possession and helping Wednesday progress the ball through midfield.
James and Cooper impress again
Reece James impressed me again.
It was a mature performance built around good decisions. He defended well, made important interceptions and blocks, and used his experience to manage difficult situations.
James is quickly becoming a very important part of this side.
Liam Cooper was equally important at the heart of the defence. He was calm on the ball, aggressive when required and dominant in the air as Wycombe attempted to force their way back into the game.
Yan Valery also caused problems on the right. His final ball was not always there, but one driving run and shot deserved more as the effort flew narrowly wide.
Bannan walked a fine line
Bannan was influential again, particularly with the pass that helped create Wednesday's equaliser, but he was perhaps fortunate that his evening did not end early.
The challenge that earned him a yellow card could have been viewed as reckless. On another day, or with a different referee, it might have resulted in a straight red.
Pedersen eventually withdrew Bannan and Cooper as he continued to manage their minutes, with Ali Al-Hamadi and Weaver introduced to help see out the victory.
The numbers support the performance
The game felt uncomfortable at times, particularly when Wycombe applied pressure during the second half, but the overall numbers were encouraging.
Wednesday finished with 2.56 expected goals compared with Wycombe's 1.02 and recorded seven shots on target. They also edged possession with 51%, while both sides won six corners.
Those numbers support Pedersen's assessment that Wednesday created opportunities beyond the two goals. This was not simply a case of scoring twice and desperately holding on.
Wednesday committed 16 fouls and received two yellow cards, which also reflects the more physical side of the performance. They competed, disrupted Wycombe when necessary and showed they could win a different type of game.
Another encouraging step
This was not a flawless performance.
Otegbayo's early mistake gifted Wycombe the lead, Barry's injury is a major concern and Wednesday allowed the home side to build pressure during parts of the second half.
But I really liked the response.
Wednesday showed quality to score the equaliser, composure to take the lead and plenty of character to protect it. Players who have only recently joined the club are already making an impact, while the squad now gives Pedersen options to change the shape and momentum of games.
It is still far too early to draw conclusions about where this season might lead, but this was another encouraging step.
Wednesday went behind, lost one of their most dangerous players and had to defend under pressure. They still found a way to take all three points back to Sheffield.
Performances like this give us more evidence that the different components of this team are starting to come together.