Wednesday's Development Squad extended their winning run to six games following a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Middlewood Road this afternoon.
Midfielder James Murphy's 10th-minute strike proved to be decisive in the end, as Wednesday bottled up their opponents superbly to galvanise their pole position in the table.
An end to end start to proceedings saw the visitors threaten first with Joao Teixeira testing Owls goalkeeper Cameron Dawson with a 25-yard free-kick.
But Wednesday settled better into the contest and gained an early advantage, as Murphy broke the deadlock with a goal of his own making.
Having snatched possession from a Forest defender outside the box, Murphy unleashed a low shot that went in off the upright.
The visitors sought a reply immediately with Gboly Ariyibi twisting his way into the Owls' penalty area and setting up Teixeira, who lifted his effort over the bar.
Moments later, Forest winger Hildeberto Perreira's venomous attempt was deflected to safety while Thomas Lam sent his shot whizzing past Dawson's near post.
The second half began with Wednesday's 1-0 lead intact and the game progressed on a more even-keel.
For Wednesday, new signing Ashley Baker collected a fine feed from Will Buckley and tested Forest custodian Jordan Smith with a right-footed drive.
While Forest continued to probe an opening using the flanks, the home side's impervious defending kept them at bay successfully.
Although the visitors carved up a host of set-piece situations, their only real threat came from frontman Apostulos Vellios on 79 minutes, but the towering striker saw his right-footed effort fly over the crossbar.
Having edged their opponents today, the Owls' youngsters next welcome Crewe on February 20.
Wednesday: Dawson, Baker, Emanuelson, Semedo, O'Grady, Thorniley, Stobbs, Kirby (Hayford, 46), Hirst (Betra 87), Murphy, Buckley (Preston 72)