Struggling Wednesday, who had lost four games in a row, almost found a way through early on whem Lee Grant's long kick was headed on by Marcus Tudgay with Kelly Youga clearing as Enoch Showunmi challenged 10 yards from goal.
Wednesday escaped when former Sheffield United striker Andy Gray carved out an opening by threading the ball to Luke Varney, who charged to the edge of the box but his low strike flashed inches wide of the target.
The Owls suffered a blow in the 19th minute when influential midfielder Graham Kavanagh limped off after pulling a hamstring to be replaced by Ronnie Wallwork.
On-loan Bristol City striker Showunmi saw his looping header drop the wrong side of the post before Wednesday almost gave away an own goal.
Gray's low ball into the area hit full-back Lee Bullen and crashed against the sprawling Grant before Bullen hacked it clear.
The post saved Wednesday minutes later when Varney slammed in a low cross from the right flank and Matt Holland lashed in a low strike, but the ball crashed against the foot of the post with Grant beaten.
The battling Sheffield side bounced back immediately with Nicky Weaver pulling off two spectacular one-handed saves in quick succession to push away centre-back Richard Wood's header and a Showunmi strike from 12 yards
Weaver conjured up another stop this time keeping out Bullen's close-range strike from Marcus Tudgay's knock on.
Showunmi almost found a way through after cutting in from the left flank and drilling in a deep low cross.
But Tudgay just failed to connect as he slid in before substitute Jose Semedo swept the ball away for a corner.