Aaron McLean’s 77th-minute strike was enough to give Hull City all three points at Hillsborough on Saturday and send Wednesday into the international break with no win in eight matches.
The former Peterborough United man came on as a second-half substitute and found the back of the net two minutes after his introduction to settle a match that seemed to be heading for a stalemate for the most part.
Defeat leaves Dave Jones and his men without a win since August and in the bottom three of the Championship table.
Both sides were out to put an end to poor runs of form, albeit Hull’s not being as desperate, and the Owls were keen to build on a point in a 3-3 thriller at Burnley last time out.
Michail Antonio bagged a late equaliser in that game at Turf Moor and Wednesday continued that momentum into the visit of Steve Bruce’s side as they made a promising start.
Sone Aluko’s effort aside, the hosts looked the brighter of the two teams early on and Chris O’Grady, looking to continue the form that saw him score two goals in his last outing, fired Wednesday’s first effort on goal.
It was carved out by Antonio, and the Owls’ wing wizard had a chance of his own shortly after when he sent a low long-range drive just wide.
Wednesday went even closer just after the 20 minute mark when the recalled Miguel Llera saw his effort cleared off the line by City’s Ahmed Elmohamady although the hosts did claim the effort was over the line, only for the referee to wave away their protests.
The Tigers were far from out of the contest, however, and finished the stronger of the two teams as half-time approached.
Paul McKenna flashed a dangerous effort just wide as the referee called time on the first 45 minutes.
The visitors started the second half as they’d finished the first – on top. Midfielder Stephen Quinn, on the receiving end of some stick from the home faithful thanks to his Sheffield United ties, was in the thick of the action and almost gifted Jay Simpson with the opener.
Bruce’s men were upping their gear and sensing a goal, while Wednesday were looking nervous at the back as they attempted a first clean sheet of the season.
The best chance of the game went to Aluko, who found himself through on goal and with a golden opportunity to fire his side 1-0 up but he sent his effort wide.
It was a let-off for Wednesday, but they weren’t to get a second one as McLean was introduced to the action and promptly fired his side ahead.
Wednesday desperately looked for a leveller and introduced Gary Madine and Jermaine Johnson and the latter caused City all kinds of problems at the back while also hitting a powerful low shot that was well saved.
Time ran out on the Owls’ efforts, however, and Wednesday were forced to experience another defeat.
Wednesday: Kirkland, Buxton, Llera, Gardner, Mattock, Antonio, Semedo, McCabe (Mayor 86), Barkley, Bothroyd (J Johnson 72), O`Grady (Madine 65). Substitutes: Bywater, Jones, Taylor, Rodri.
Hull: Amos, Rosenior, Dawson, McKenna, Simpson (McLean 75), McShane, Olofinjana, Faye, Aluko (Prosschwitz 85), Elmohamady, Quinn. Substitutes: Oxley, Evans, Cooper, Townsend.
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