It was a tough assignment for Wednesday on paper and leaders Leicester stayed true to the form book, posting a routine 2-0 win at King Power Stadium.
First half goals from Abdul Fatawu and Jamie Vardy tightened the Foxes’ grip on top spot, while adding to the Owls’ relegation fears at the other end of the table.
With the hosts a runaway train in the Championship and fast heading towards automatic promotion, the last thing Wednesday could afford was an early concession.
But those worst fears became reality in the fourth minute when James Beadle’s ball into Will Vaulks was pounced upon by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who delivered low across goal. A stepover from Vardy and simple finish from Fatawu duly punished the Owls.
With their tails up, the Foxes immediately set about adding to their lead and came close when Stephy Mavididi fired a free-kick narrowly wide of Beadle’s far post.
Wout Faes sent a rising shot into the stands from close range before the Belgian fashioned Leicester’s second on 35 minutes.
Deep in his own half, Faes sent a delicious looping through-ball to Dewsbury-Hall, whose deft lay-off was perfect for Vardy to slot home on the angle.
Wednesday’s best opening of the first half was a Djeidi Gassama shot comfortably diverted by Mads Hermansen just before the break, after which the Owls were brighter.
After Beadle denied Fatawu a second at full stretch, Hermansen was called into action with a fingertip save to keep out Anthony Musaba from distance.
The Owls went on to win a flurry of corners and certainly put pressure on the Leicester backline through a more even second period.
That cutting edge, though, was the missing piece – as was evidenced in the last minute when Pol Valentin sliced a good chance wide - and Wednesday went the same way as most this season when visiting the champions elect.
SWFC: Beadle, Valentin, Ihiekwe, Bernard (B Diaby 85), Johnson, Vaulks, Poveda (Wilks 66), Bannan, Gassama (Musaba 56), Ugbo (Palmer 46), Cadamarteri (Smith 66)