Chris Turner's ailing Wednesday side kick started their promotion drive as Paul McLaren grabbed a neat double to see off Notts County 2-1.
The former Luton midfielder fired in two eye catching goals to stop the rot after four games without a win.
Turner brought in youngster Grant Holt for only his third start of the season and the 21-year-old striker, signed from non League Barrow, was handed a half chance in the opening minutes jumping to meet a Derek Geary cross, but his header was a poor one and Tony Barrass cleared.
The Sheffield side snatched the lead in the 24th minute with a stunning goal, McLaren turning quickly to lash an unstoppable shot beyond Steve Mildenhall from 25 yards.
Wednesday were at fault minutes later, failing to clear a Darren Caskey corner and Paul Bolland, in space on the edge of the bock, ballooned the ball high over the top.
Holt almost grabbed a second running onto a Terry Cooke pass but his low strike at the near post was blocked and turned round the woodwork by the County keeper.
David Lucas, signed on loan from Preston, to ease Wednesday's goalkeeper crisis, foiled County minutes after the restart, Bolland firing in a crisp shot from 15 yards which was snuffed out by Lucas.
Billy Dearden's strugglers went close seconds later , defender Ian Baraclough jumping to meet Caskey's pinpoint free-kick, but from six yards he glanced his header wide.
McLaren hit his second on 52 minutes, the goal carved out by Adam Proudlock. The former Wolves striker powered in a cross from the right and McLaren met the ball on the volley firing it past the stranded Mildenhall and into the far corner.
Striker Mark Stallard pulled one back 10 minutes later curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards after spotting Lucas well off his line.