Barry Bannan dedicates Sheffield Wednesday playoff return to Darren Moore over racist abuse

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Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan has dedicated his playoff semi-final victory over Peterborough United to manager Darren Moore after the racist abuse he suffered following their first leg loss.

Wednesday overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit to advance to the League One play-off final with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Peterborough.

Moore was the subject of racist abuse on social media following Wednesday’s 4-0 defeat at ABAX Stadium. The club banned the individual manager for life.

What he did last week was incredible, Bannan told Sky Sports. To reverse this state of mind of the players. He had a huge job to do to turn things around and he did an amazing job.

I’m so proud of him and the way he’s performed this week, after the racism he’s also suffered, it shouldn’t be close to football no matter a manager who has won 96 points this season, so those for him.

Peterborough had won the first leg 4-0 to exit the tie, but only on Wednesday to defy the odds and score four goals in the second leg at Hillsborough to take the tie into extra time.

First-half goals from Michael Smith and Lee Gregory on Wednesday offered hope for a remarkable comeback before Reece James scored with 19 minutes remaining to set up a stand finish. Liam Palmer scored a 98th-minute equalizer to send the game into extra time.

Peterborough then regained the lead in the draw with an own goal from Gregory before Callum Patterson scored eight minutes from time to give Wednesday a 5-1 evening lead and leave the level tied at total.

Wednesday progressed in the shootout with Jack Hunt scoring the decisive penalty after Dan Butler cleared the bar for Peterborough.

It’s the best game I’ve ever played,” added Bannan. I’m so happy because these guys deserve it. Everyone wrote us off, everyone kicked us pillar in position. We showed that they were made of strong materials. We were only halfway there, but it feels like winning it tonight.

Last week when I walked off the pitch and you started coming home and people started texting you saying, what happened? And doubt yourself. I tried to stick to people who were positive.

All the negative people who texted me, that’s what happened. That’s what happens when you believe in things and come together, anything is possible. The 12th man who cheered us on, those last week booed us and said you weren’t fit to wear the shirt, look at that.

Wednesday will see the winner of Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers who will face off at Oakwell on Friday.

The final will be played at Wembley on May 29.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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