Wednesday's Development Squad went down fighting 2-0 against an in-form Hull side at Middlewood Road on Monday afternoon.
Despite matching the visitors stride for stride over large swathes of the game, the young Owls were undone by a second half brace from Robbie McKenzie.
The top of the table clash began with the Tigers well into the early exchanges, dominating the midfield proceedings.
Wednesday custodian Dan Wallis was called into action twice, keeping Greg Olley and Jonathan Edwards at bay with superb saves.
The Owls, on their part, carved two chances through tenacious midfielder Sean Clare, who first hit the post and then swerved a 25-yard free kick wide by a whisker.
Neil Thompson's men maintained their defensive shape for the remainder of the first period and went into the break deadlocked against their East Yorkshire rivals.
The second half started on an even keel, with both sides unleashing shots on 50 minutes.
While Wallis thwarted McKenzie, the hosts replied with James Murphy's daisycutter from distance that whistled narrowly wide.
Five minutes later, Owls frontman George Hirst set up Matt Penney, who shaped a firm effort from the edge of the area but was denied by Hull goalkeeper Duson Kuciak.
The game looked destined for a creditable draw for the home side but the Tigers went ahead through McKenzie's first goal against the run of play on 76 minutes.
Terry Boyle's men tightened the screw after the first goal and on 88 minutes McKenzie completed his double from outside the box to seal victory.
Wednesday: Wallis, Lee, Penney, Hayford (Kirby 60), O'Grady, Thorniley, Centeno (Betra 46), Murphy (Rodney 76), Hirst, Clare, Clarke