A maiden league goal in Wednesday colours for Alex Mighten was enough to yield all three points at Accrington.
Mighten was on target in his last outing, against Morecambe in the FA Cup, and continued his purple patch with the match-winner at the Wham Stadium.
The visitors were good value for the win, dominating for large periods, and although Stanley showed more as the second period progressed, the outcome was never really in doubt.
The Owls were almost off to the perfect start, with Harvey Rodgers coming to the hosts’ rescue inside four minutes.
Barry Bannan swung a hanging corner to the back post where Michael Ihiekwe headed goalwards only for Rodgers to clear off the line.
Wednesday went on to control the first half and duly made the breakthrough on 24 minutes. Bannan fizzed a chest-high ball into the box and Smith showed clever control to tee up Mighten, who smashed into the roof of the net.
The home side showed the signs of having lost five of their last six league games, offering little in the final third.
The Owls, though, looked dangerous from every forward thrust as was evidenced when Mighten fashioned a chance for Bannan that whistled narrowly past the post.
Wednesday went closer still just before the break as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru broke free down the left of the area and clipped over keeper Toby Savin, who had Rodgers to thank once more for hoofing clear.
The Owls kept up the pressure after the break, Bannan flashed a volley wide following a super crossfield ball from Smith.
Josh Windass skied a half chance from eight yards and the feeling was that the next goal would go the way of Wednesday.
Accrington had occasional marches up front – David Stockdale saved well from Shaun Whalley – but overall the visitors never looked in real danger.
Lee Gregory came on in the closing stages, while ex-Owl Korede Adedoyin was introduced for Stanley.
And Gregory came close to an instant impact as it took a brave save at the feet of the striker from Savin to keep Accrington in the game.
Savin had a rush of blood with 10 minutes to go, racing out of his box towards a long punt from the back – Gregory got there first and Dele-Bashiru could not capitalise from range.
Accrington dialled it up as the clock went down but timed out to leave Wednesday victorious with another clean sheet to boot.
Wednesday: Stockdale, Iorfa, McGuinness, Ihiekwe, James, Vaulks, Bannan, Mighten (Paterson 84), Dele-Bashiru, Windass (Gregory 72), Smith