The Owls ground out what could prove a crucial three points with a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Wigan.

Ross Wallace scored the only goal just before half time to settle a live TV clash that rarely set the pulses racing.

But the most important part of the evening was a travelling triumph from the visitors’ perspective and in that sense, it was mission accomplished.

A balanced opening, with both sides creating little, laid a marker for more of the same as the first half unfolded.

Most of the play was in the engine room but beyond that, the contest struggled to find a spark.



Adam Reach was busy down the left channel, as was Barry Bannan in the centre, but chances were scant for the Owls.

It was a similar theme for Wigan, who caused few problems in a Wednesday backline missing the injured Tom Lees.

At the other end of the field, new recruit Jordan Rhodes made an immediate debut but it was Reach that forged the first real opportunity, with the midfielder’s low drive deflected wide for a corner just past the half-hour mark.

But that prompted a spell of pressure from the Owls that led to the deadlock being broken two minutes before the break.

Vincent Sasso pumped forward to Rhodes, who flicked on for Wallace to finish with the aid of a deflection at the far post.



The goal was the boost the game needed as the hosts had to loosen the shackles and Wigan went close just after the resumption when Sam Morsy brought a fine save from Keiren Westwood.

Reach then fired over the bar following an eye-catching run from ex-Wigan winger Callum McManaman as the Owls hit back, before the Latics had a Callum Connelly strike ruled out for offside.

Wigan, though, had their best chance on 75 minutes. Michael Jacobs swung a fine cross into the mix and substitute James Weir had a clear header from eight yards but missed the target.

And that was as good as it got for Warren Joyce’s men, who remain in the bottom three, while Wednesday leapfrogged back above Derby and into the top six.

Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Loovens, Sasso, Pudil (Semedo 90), Wallace (McManaman 56), Bannan, Jones, Reach, Forestieri (Abdi 81), Rhodes