The Owls suffered defeat for the first time this season on Saturday at Hillsborough.
Nottingham Forest claimed all three points with a narrow 1-0 victory in the Sky TV clash, with the only goal coming from ex-Arsenal man Henri Lansbury before the break.
And once Forest had that lead, it would prove a difficult task for Wednesday to break down the early pacesetters, as Stuart Pearce’s men stretched their lead at the summit.
In the build-up, both Wednesday and Forest entered the lunchtime kick-off in fine form – undefeated in all competitions – with the winner assured top spot at full time.
As well as league-leadership at stake, there were also a number of subplots to mention with ex-Owls Michail Antonio and Matty Fryatt lining up in the red and white of Forest.
Wednesday were first to show inside two minutes when Chris Maguire threaded through for Liam Palmer but the defender’s pull back for Stevie May was intercepted by Michael Mancienne.
Forest responded with their £5m frontman Britt Assombalonga testing Keiren Westwood at his near post.
And the ex-Peterborough man was making his presence felt minutes later as Antonio swung a dangerous cross into the middle that just evaded the unmarked Assombalonga.
The chances kept on coming at both ends and Jacques Maghoma was almost rewarded for his endeavours.
The winger cut inside from the left and drilled a fizzing low effort on target that Karl Darlow could only parry into the six-yard box, but his defenders were on hand to mop up the danger.
Forest then began to enjoy a productive spell towards the end of the first half, applying the pressure and duly went ahead through Lansbury.
Antonio managed to work a yard of space and delivered a telling cross for the Arsenal product to nod home.
In a bid to preserve their unbeaten start to the season, Wednesday began the second period in good fashion as May twice went close to registering his first Hillsborough goal.
The Scot fired wide at the near post before bringing a fine save from Darlow after good work from Atdhe Nuhiu to retrieve possession in midfield.
The Forest keeper had to be on guard again as the Owls bombarded the box with a flurry of dangerous crosses and corners.
In hectic spell in front of the Kop goal, Maguire stung the palms of Darlow and his follow-up low strike couldn’t find a way past the Forest defenders who were back in numbers.
Then came stoppage time, where Nuhiu saw his curling effort tipped over the top by Darlow before the Reds escaped unscathed from a goalmouth scramble at the death to extend their strong start to 2014/15 – now six wins from seven.
Owls: Westwood, Palmer, Loovens, Lees, Mattock (Hope 85), Maguire (Helan 78), Coke, Semedo (Madine 64), Maghoma, May, Nuhiu
Forest: Darlow, Lichaj, Mancienne, Cohen, Assombalonga, Lansbury (Tesche 68), Reid, Hunt, Antonio (Fryatt 78), Hobbs (Lascelles 73), Burke