Sheffield Wednesday missed out on an opportunity to keep in touch in the top six in the Championship as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Bolton at Hillsborough.
Stuart Gray's side came into the game on the back of 3 league wins in a row but got off to a terrible start in the sleet at S6.
Less than 2 minutes had been played when Maghoma lost the ball cheaply on the edge of his own penalty area, allowing Feeney to advance unchallenged and produce a crisp low finish to give the Trotters the lead.
Bolton were quick to close down and press the Owls – something which Wednesday have done to good effect themselves this season – and as a result the home side couldn't get going at all in the early stages. Mid-way through the half the visitors doubled their lead when Dielna hesitated in cutting out a through ball from Heskey, allowing Pratley to brush past him and beat Westwood.
Wednesday finally found a foothold in the game within 5 minutes of Bolton's second as a neat move resulted in a low cross from the Owls right finding its way to Maguire who was brought down to earn the home side a spot kick. Maguire despatched the penalty confidently and Wednesday were back in the game.
No changes were made at half-time but Wednesday looked more purposeful after the break with Maghoma influencing the game much more in the final third. Despite enjoying more of the ball Wednesday were struggling to create chances and had to rely on Westwood to produce a top class save when a quick Bolton counter resulted in Davies bearing down on goal.
A flurry of Wanderers corners then brought more of the best out of the Owls keeper as he denied Davies, Pratley and Wheater.
At the other end more Owls pressure saw substitute Baker denied an equaliser on his home debut when Mills threw himself in front of a goal-bound close range effort.
With 5 minutes to go Bolton seemed home and dry when another Owls sub, Hutchinson, foolishly dived into a sliding challenge for a second time and duly received his second yellow card.
Although they were down to ten men Wednesday went agonisingly close to picking up a point in the closing stages. Atdhe Nuhiu hit the bar and the follow up was turned into the net by May. The celebrations of the home fans were cut short however as the linesman had flagged May offisde in what appeared to be a very harsh decision.
With virtually the last kick of the match Dielna crashed a shot from the edge of the penalty area against the underside of the crossbar but it weasn't to be Wednesday's day and Bolton held on for all 3 points.
The Owls remain 9th in the table but will be disappointed to have turned in such a below-par performance. The home form continues to be a problem and in-form Birmingham will look to take advantage when they visit Hillsborough in 10 days time.