Wednesday turned in a spirited performance at league leaders West Brom but were hit by last-gasp frustration once more.
For the third successive game the Owls conceded in the dying embers and to compound matters Liam Palmer was sent off deep into injury time.
Steven Fletcher’s second half penalty cancelled out Hal Robson-Kanu’s early opener and it seemed the points would be shared.
But the Baggies were also awarded a spot-kick with just three minutes to go and substitute Charlie Austin duly converted from 12 yards before Palmer’s dismissal.
Overall it was harsh on the Owls, who started both halves well, but couldn’t get the goals their dominance at times deserved.
Wednesday almost profited from their first attack inside two minutes when Jacob Murphy broke down the left channel but his cross had just too much for the onrushing Fletcher.
Kadeem Harris motored upfield moments later and went close with an angled drive before Julian Börner saw a curling effort deflected wide.
It was an encouraging start by the Owls but counted for little as the Baggies took the lead on nine minutes against the run of play.
Matheus Pereira threaded a quality feed down the middle to Robson-Kanu and the Welshman calmly slotted past the advancing Keiren Westwood.
The goal proved a watershed moment in the first half, calming the home crowd, which transpired to the pitch as Albion took a grip on the game.
Comfortable in possession and threatening in attack, the hosts were in the box seat and Wednesday were limited to sporadic counters.
The start of the second period mirrored the first, though, as the Owls regained their composure and wrestled control.
Harris and Murphy had glimpses of goal before they forged the breakthrough on 57 minutes.
Filip Krovinovic was adjudged to have tripped Kieran Lee in the area and up stepped Fletcher to slam past Sam Johnstone and restore parity from the spot.
Wednesday had their tails up and Morgan Fox brushed the top of the crossbar from a Barry Bannan set piece – Lee had a snapshot blocked at the last from the next attack.
The Owls pushed and probed through the closing stages, prompting more frustration from the Hawthorns crowd.
Dominic Iorfa and Adam Reach each had shots charged down as West Brom were pinned back but the hosts dramatically hit back to snatch victory.
After Austin’s header came back off the post, Westwood then tangled with Krovinovic on the corner of the area and the referee pointed to the spot.
Austin drilled hard and low to seal the points for Albion, who remain at the summit.
Still there was time for more Wednesday woe as Palmer saw red for a late tackle on Grady Diangana and a miserable afternoon in the Midlands was complete.
Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer (S/O 90), Iorfa, Börner, Fox, Harris (Reach 58), Lee (Luongo 70), Hutchinson (Nuhiu 89), Bannan, Murphy, Fletcher