|
Wednesday had started brightly. Midfielder Alan Quinn caused problems in the opening minutes firing wide of the target before producing a fierce 25-yard strike that was pushed round the post by Matthew Murray.
Shefki Kuqi was foiled by the Wolves keeper in the 15th minute, Murray diving bravely at his feet to smother the ball as the Wednesday striker hesitated.
Proudlock almost broke the deadlock as he stretched to meet a Shaun Newton cross but he failed to connect at the far post before snatching the opener in the 24th minute.
Kenny Miller carved out the opening threading the ball to the Wolves striker and Proudlock stuck out a foot to beat keeper Kevin Pressman to the ball a yard inside the area.
Proudlock struck his second in the 42nd minute. The former England midfielder Paul Ince picked out Mark Kennedy on the left flank and his precise cross was finished off in clinical fashion by the Wolves striker as he steamed in at the far post.
Kuqi went close seven minutes after the restart. Carl Robinson played the ball to Quinn and his low cross was scooped over the top by the Wednesday striker as Murray charged off his line.
Kennedy went close minutes later cutting inside from the right and finishing with a low strike, the ball clipping the foot of the post.
Wednesday threatened to get back into the game before Miller wrapped things up in the 67th minute.
Full-back Ashley Westwood gave Kennedy too much space and his cross was met by the Wolves striker, Pressman failing to hang onto his close-range header.
There was drama in the closing minutes. Substitute Steve Haslam and Brian Barry-Murphy cleared the ball off the line from Miller and Proudlock before substitute Dean Sturridge added the fourth in the 89th minute.