The Owls Under-23s suffered their first defeat in five games on Monday evening against Bolton at The Macron Stadium.
A young Owls side came up against a Bolton squad full of first team experience with the likes of Adam le Fondre, Dorian Dervite, Josh Cullen and Reece Burke in the starting XI.
Wednesday went into the clash top of the PDL2 but were up against it from the off as Bolton defender Liam Edwards placed his header over the bar from the first corner of the game.
Preslav Borukov then saw his front post header blocked on the line by Dervite before the hosts drew first blood in the game.
Le Fondre forced the save from Cameron Dawson at the near post, Ryan White rattled the upright on the rebound before Jeff King went down under a Liam Williams challenge and the referee pointed to the spot.
Former Rotherham man Le Fondre made no mistake from 12 yards to give his side an early lead.
Neil Thompson’s men responded well as Matt Penney’s powerful strike was well stopped by Wanderers goalkeeper Jake Turner.
But the second goal of the game went the way of the hosts as King showed excellent composure in the area to drill low and hard beyond Dawson.
The Owls, though, re-grouped and pulled a goal back before the interval with Antonee Robinson misjudging his clearance from Penney’s corner and deflecting into his own goal.
Moments before the break, the Owls almost drew level via the same route with Penney’s corner picking out James Murphy, whose header went just wide of the target.
Despite a spirited display from the Owls, Bolton made the points safe five minutes from time.
Threaded through on goal, Connor Hall was fouled by Frederick Nielsen before stepping up to convert the resulting penalty.
Owls: Dawson, Baker, Penney, Murphy, Nielsen, Williams (Kirby 33), Preston (Hughes 77), O’Grady, Preslav, Waldock (Shaw 85), Clarke