Over 5,000 travelling fans were handed a late Christmas gift as 10-man Wednesday posted a vital 1-0 win at Preston.
Marvin Johnson scored the only goal of a game that had few clear openings and the Owls maximised the one that mattered the most.
The hosts hit the woodwork before George Byers was sent off for a late challenge and altercation in the closing stages.
But Wednesday held firm to provide another twist in the battle for Championship survival.
Alan Browne was first to show with a long-ranger that flew wide before Will Vaulks headed off target after tricky wing work from Djeidi Gassama.
The contest settled into an even affair until the 27th minute when Wednesday burst into the lead.
Bailey Cadamarteri played in Johnson on the angle with a deft touch and the wideman advanced to slot emphatically past Freddie Woodman.
The Owls battled on until half time to preserve the lead having survived a double blow when first Akin Famewo and then Vaulks succumbed to injury.
It meant a reshuffle for Wednesday and earlier than anticipated introductions for Byers and Liam Palmer in front of the rearguard.
Preston went straight on the front foot after the restart and were a lick of paint away from a leveller.
Liam Millar linked up well with Milutin Osmajic and unleased a fierce curling hit that smashed against the crossbar.
Wednesday made a triple substitution as the Lilywhites continued to press and the scales started to balance in terms of possession.
Preston had the edge, though, in the chances department and Mads Frokjaer could hardly have gone closer with a whistling drive inches past the post.
There was late drama when Byers saw red with five minutes to go after a strong challenge and brief fracas with Frokjaer.
But Preston could not make the numerical advantage count and despite the one-way traffic as the clock counted down, Wednesday’s defence stood firm and three huge points came back over the Pennines.
Wednesday: Dawson, Valentin, Bernard, Ihiekwe, Famewo (Palmer 35), Johnson, Vaulks (Byers 39, S/0 85), Bannan (Fletcher 66), Gassama (Bakinson 66), Musaba, Cadamarteri (Windass 65)