Jarrod Bowen’s 17th goal of the season was enough to give Hull a 1-0 win over Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Bowen struck in the second half of a game that might have gone either way as chances came at both ends.
But the Tigers took the one that counted to inflict a third successive defeat on the hosts.
A lively opening saw Hull threaten, although it was Wednesday that asked the first real question when Kadeem Harris’ cross was just behind Sam Winnall who shot over.
But 13 minutes in, the visitors were out of luck. Kamil Grosicki swung a corner to the back post where Matthew Pennington somehow conspired to bustle the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
The Owls grew into the game and went close on the half-hour mark with Adam Reach dragging wide following good work from Harris.
Hull reacted well, though, and only a perfectly timed challenge by Dominic Iorfa prevented Grosicki bearing down on Cameron Dawson’s goal.
Pennington then atoned for his earlier miss, clearing a Harris hit off the line after Atdhe Nuhiu wriggled clear of two defenders.
Steven Fletcher, absent through illness for the last two games, was introduced for the second half and had an immediate impact, flicking a Barry Bannan corner on to the post.
Harris cut inside his marker just before the hour but fired high and wide as Wednesday looked the more likely until they were caught on the counter in the 61st minute.
George Honeyman found space down the right flank and looked up to find the onrushing Bowen who slammed past Dawson.
Hull had suddenly seized the initiative and Grosicki poked over the bar from the edge of the penalty area as the Tigers sought a decisive second strike.
But the Owls were undaunted and rallied well – substitute Jacob Murphy was sent scampering through by Bannan but tried to pick out Fletcher and the chance was gone.
Fletcher curled a set piece narrowly wide as Wednesday entered the closing stages in charge but still a goal down – and alas that was the way it stayed to conclude a frustrating holiday period for Garry Monk’s men.
Wednesday: Dawson, Iorfa, Lees, Börner, Fox, Harris, Bannan, Hutchinson, Reach (Murphy 64), Nuhiu (Fletcher 46), Winnall (Rhodes 59)