Wednesday turned in by far their most impressive performance since the derby win over Sheffield United but failed to press home the advantage against the Addicks.

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The Owls created a host of chances versus the promotion hopefuls and it took a five-star display by ex-SWFC loanee keeper Nicky Weaver to keep the hosts at bay.

Weaver dipped into the top drawer to produce three stunning reflex saves that kept his side in the contest - and the Owls in the bottom three.

Brian Laws made four changes from the team that went down at Bristol City on Saturday. Tommy Spurr, Richard Wood, Jermaine Johnson and Enoch Showunmi each reclaimed starting shirts, taking the places of Peter Gilbert, Richard Hinds, Burton O'Brien and Deon Burton respectively.

Wednesday pressed from the opening whistle and earned a first-minute corner from which Wade Small saw his fierce shot charged down a yard inside the penalty area.

Showunmi almost carved a sight on goal a minute later but Weaver cleared the danger.

In-form striker Luke Varney seized on the Addicks' first chance in the 11th minute, sprinting clear of Mark Beevers to close in on Grant before blasting wide of the right hand post.

Wednesday were dealt a blow on 19 minutes when influential midfielder Graham Kavanagh hobbled off; the Irishman replaced by fellow new recruit Ronnie Wallwork.

The game took a fiery turn midway through the half when Johnson went in late on Kelly Youga. The Charlton defender reacted angrily and the duo squared up, the result of which was yellow cards for both players.

Showunmi tried a back-header from close range that Weaver was relieved to see bounce past the past, while at the other end Matt Holland almost profited when Grant spilled Andy Gray's low cross in front of goal.

Wednesday came close to drawing first blood ten minutes before the break. Adam Bolder sent over a teasing free kick from the right and Wood got good purchase on his header but Weaver dived sharply down to his right to scoop clear.

Johnson then found the wrong side of the net with a left-footed effort before Charlton winger Darren Ambrose thumped a long-ranger wide of the upright.

Youga was lucky to escape a red card when the left-back appeared to catch Small in the face with the latter in full flight but referee Stroud deemed a harsh word as sufficient.

With a minute to go before half time, the Owls almost broke the deadlock. Small set off at pace down the right flank and sent an accurate feed to Showunmi, but the big striker's goalbound snapshot was expertly diverted by a diving Weaver.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew replaced Youga right on half time with the defender walking a tightrope; Jose Semedo entered the fray in his place.

The Owls were out of the traps the quickest in the second period as Marcus Tudgay tried his luck from distance seconds after the resumption.

Showunmi then broke free down the left and Tudgay came agonisingly close to converting with the goal at his mercy before Semedo hooked clear for a corner.

Wednesday were well on top and Bullen almost bagged a second goal in as many games. Wallwork's corner looped behind the skipper ten yards out but Bullen swivelled to fire a fierce volley that Weaver spectacularly parried wide.

Showunmi then tore down the left and cut inside to send a piledriver into the Kop as Charlton, try as they might, just couldn't work the ball from their own half.

Small caused panic in the Addicks rearguard with two low crosses that were somehow cleared by some desperate defending, from which Charlton could have grabbed an undeserved opener. The ball eventually found its way to Varney after a swift counter down the right and the hitman buried low beneath Grant but the linesman's flag was already raised for offside.

Zheng Zhi should have done better 12 yards out but could only spoon high over Grant's crossbar as the visitors at least showed a modicum of attacking threat with the clock ticking down.

The drama lasted all the way to the last as Charlton survived what seemed a credible shout for a penalty two minutes from the end. Johnson sent a peach of a cross over for the onrushing Tudgay, who appeared to be felled by substitute Lee Cook.

But the referee waved Wednesday's spot-kick claims away to leave boss Laws and his charges frustrated and still ensconced in the drop zone.

Owls (4-4-2): Grant; Bullen, Wood, Beevers, Spurr; Johnson (Burton 89), Kavanagh (Wallwork 19), Bolder, Small; Showunmi, Tudgay

Unused subs: Gilbert, Hinds, McAllister

Charlton (4-4-2): Weaver; Halford, Youga, (Semedo 44) McCarthy, Fortune; Sam (Cook 67), Holland, Zhi, Ambrose; Varney, Gray (Iwelumo 63)

Unused subs: Elliot, Sodje

Referee: Mr K. Stroud

Attendance: 17,211