Fulham’s Capital One Cup dreams ended at the Second Round stage as the Whites went down to a 1-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The only goal of the game came just after the break, Gary Madine slotting home from the penalty spot after Stephen Kelly had been adjudged to have fouled Chris Maguire inside the box.

Brede Hangeland saw what looked like a perfectly good equaliser ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag on the hour mark

And it was the Championship Owls who progressed to the next stage of the competition on a disappointing night for Martin Jol’s men.

Jol made five changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Manchester United on Saturday, with Kelly, Chris Baird, Steve Sidwell, Pajtim Kasami and Hugo Rodallega all drafted in, the latter making his first full start for the Whites. Matthew Briggs continued at left-back in the absence of John Arne Riise.

Mark Schwarzer was named in goal, behind a back four of Kelly, Captain Hangeland, Aaron Hughes and Briggs. The midfield comprised of Damien Duff, Sidwell, Baird and Alexander Kačaniklić, with Kasami slotting in just behind Rodallega. After suffering an an injury niggle in the warm-up, Bryan Ruiz was replaced in the starting XI by Duff, with young Tom Donegan getting a late spot on the substitutes’ bench.

A wild shot by Kasami on 15 minutes was the first incident of note in the game, with Sidwell booked shortly afterwards for a late challenge on Jose Semedo. Kasami followed Sidwell into the book on 28 minutes for catching Giles Coke.

It was Wednesday who looked the more likely to make something happen, with Schwarzer doing well to punch two dangerous looking corners away from danger. And the Fulham goalkeeper did well to get down low to a Michail Antonio drive on 35 minutes after the Owls man cut in from the right flank.

At the other end, Briggs sent a speculative right-footed effort well wide on 37 minutes, before Madine got free of Hangeland but sent his header straight at Schwarzer from 12 yards.

Fulham were being restricted to long-range efforts; Sidewell shot well over on 42 minutes, while Schwarzer had to be alert to dive bravely at the feet of Madine in injury time at the end of the first half after a dangerous-looking cross from Antonio.

The Owls almost went in front within a minute of the restart when a scuffed Antonio corner was almost bundled home only for Kačaniklić to clear off the line. It was the closest either side had come to a goal – but Wednesday would be presented with an even better chance on 49 minutes when Kelly was adjudged to have tripped Maguire just insdie the box.

Madine stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Schwarzer the wrong way to give Wednesday the lead.

Miguel Llera charged down a Duff half-volley on the hour mark after Wednesday had only partially cleared a Kasami corner, with Fulham introducing Marcello Trotta to proceedings on 62 minutes. The Italian replaced Kasami as Fulham switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

Fulham thought they had drawn level a minute later. Rodallega swung in a free-kick from the left and Hangeland rose highest to nod past Stephen Bywater – only for the assistant referee to belatedly raise his flag for an alleged infringement.

Hangeland should have done better on 73 minutes when he nodded a Duff free-kick over the bar, with Trotta then forcing Bywater into action for the first real time when he met a cross from substitute Sascha Riether but saw his header saved by the Wednesday keeper.

Wednesday went close to increasing their lead on 76 minutes when Nejc Pecnik saw his 20-yard effort deflected onto the crossbar and Fulham couldn’t find a way through at the other end as the Owls claimed victory.