Pride Park is hardly Wednesday’s happiest hunting ground but Steve Bruce’s side dented that fact with a well-earned point against Derby.
Bradley Johnson gave the Rams an early lead but the Owls rallied to give an excellent account of themselves in the Midlands and drew level in the second period through Dominic Iorfa.
Wednesday might have won it too as Sam Winnall came off the bench to net on his old stamping ground but the goal was ruled out for an infringement.
Victory would not have flattered the visitors either as they recovered in impressive style from the Rams’ opener.
After Adam Reach went close at one end, Johnson made the breakthrough nine minutes in at the other.
Duane Holmes’ corner found its way to the former Norwich man, who directed a firm header back across goal and into the roof of the net.
Wednesday replied with George Boyd taking aim from range and ex-Owls loanee Scott Carson was called into action to tip over the bar.
Derby hit straight back and Martyn Waghorn looked to advance one on one with Keiren Westwood only to lose control of the ball at the crucial moment.
Carson then kept out a Steven Fletcher snapshot before the latter hooked a Barry Bannan feed out of the keeper’s reach but off the target.
Wednesday were dealt an early blow after the break when Fletcher succumbed to a foot injury but their fortune changed on 57 minutes.
Bannan delivered a super set piece into the heart of the danger zone and Iorfa powered an unstoppable header beyond Carson to restore parity.
Moments later, though, the hosts were almost back in front as a looping volley from Scott Malone smashed against the post and fortunately for the Owls to safety.
Back came Wednesday and Reach unleashed a low drive from distance that whistled past the upright before Jayden Bogle did the same for Derby.
Then, with ten minutes to go, the Owls seemed to have snatched the points only to see the strike chalked off.
Substitute Sam Winnall – returning to the Rams for the first time since his successful temporary spell – rolled into an empty net following a goalmouth scramble but the referee blew for a foul on Carson.
Still there was time for Derby to prise a golden opportunity when Bogle found room in the box but Westwood showed his class to acrobatically deny the midfield man.
Owls: Westwood, Iorfa, Hector, Lees, Palmer, Aarons (Fox 90), Hutchinson, Bannan, Boyd (Winnall 62), Reach, Fletcher (Nuhiu 50)