An early second half goal from Liam Lindsay was the difference between Wednesday and Preston at Hillsborough.
The defender decided an otherwise even encounter in which the Owls turned in an encouraging performance.
But for all the possession, there was no breakthrough and the wait continues for our first Championship point.
Brad Potts went close with the first chance of the game 10 minutes in and it took a fine save from Devis Vasquez low to his right to keep the volley out.
Wednesday grew into the contest and gradually took a foothold for periods, showing neat passing movements through the thirds.
New recruits Momo Diaby and Anthony Musaba were causing concerns, while Juan Delgado saw plenty of the ball out on the right.
But it was Preston that threatened again as ex-Owl Will Keane was inches off target from a Kian Best cross before Wednesday countered.
Lee Gregory took Barry Bannan’s clever ball from the sky and foxed his marker only for Freddie Woodman to beat out his shot.
The first half ended as it began with Potts at the centre of the action and this time at the other end of the field.
The ball appeared to bounce onto the elbow of the midfielder in the box from Liam Palmer’s deep cross but the penalty appeals were waved away.
From a position of potentially going 1-0 down, Preston promptly went 1-0 up three minutes into the second half.
A delicious set piece delivery from Best out left was seized upon by Lindsay, who planted a firm diving header past Vasquez.
It got no better for the Owls as Momo Diaby limped off just past the hour after Alan Browne went close with a free kick from range.
Wednesday committed numbers forward in search of a leveller, with Michael Smith, Callum Paterson, debutant Djeidi Gassama and Ashley Fletcher all on from the bench.
And although it was one-way traffic in the closing stages, Preston’s rearguard action paid dividends and the visitors headed back over the Pennines with the win.
Wednesday: Vasquez, Palmer, B Diaby, Iorfa, Famewo, Byers, Bannan, M Diaby (Smith 65), Delgado (Paterson 71), Musaba (Gassama 71), Gregory (Fletcher 77)