The Owls Under-18s picked up a crucial 1-0 win away at Cardiff on Saturday.
With title rivals Leeds also picking up maximum points, a result for the Owls against the high-flying Bluebirds could prove pivotal in the final league standings.
One of the toughest fixtures on paper, the Owls headed to the Welsh capital to face a Cardiff side who were top of the U18 South league.
As expected, a close-fought encounter unfolded but it was eventually settled by midfielder Liam Shaw 18 minutes from time.
Goalkeeper Josh Render was largely untroubled throughout as a solid Wednesday side held firm and created the better chances, the first of which came midway through the first half.
After a flowing forward move involving Shaw and Lewis Farmer, Conor Grant was denied from inside the box by a stunning save from the Bluebirds goalkeeper George Ratcliffe.
The Cardiff shot-stopper was alert from the resulting corner to tip over the bar from Michael Ellery’s header.
Wednesday’s high pressing game was a cause for concern for the hosts and the door was almost unlocked just before the half hour mark.
Farmer, Shaw and Eyad Hammoud’s relentless work in pressing and closing down allowed Liam Waldock to pinch possession and play in Shaw, who was again kept out one-v-one by the impressive Ratcliffe.
It was more of the same in the second half and ten minutes after the restart, L’Varn Brandy saw his effort from the edge of the box well saved but the Owls managed to make the all-important breakthrough on 72 minutes.
Grant’s clever flick on sent Shaw through on goal and the midfielder was not to be denied on this occasion and calmly finished to bag a big three points for the Owls.
Owls: Render, Dawodu, Ellery, Waldock (Reaney 76), Thompson, Rice, Farmer, Shaw, Hammoud, Grant, Brandy (Hall 81)