Wednesday beat Wolves in the league for the first time since 1968 - a run of 14 matches - to earn a priceless three points in their survival struggle. Marcus Tudgay's double and Deon Burton's classy strike were three moments of real quality but the Owls were equally indebted to goalkeeper Scott Carson for an inspirational performance between the sticks.

Paul Sturrock had set the Owls up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Tudgay in the hole between midfield and attack to stifle the hosts' passing play and hope to catch them on the break. The plan worked to perfection in the first half, thanks in no small measure to a fine display of goalkeeping from Scott Carson. The on-loan Liverpool stopper produced four saves of the very highest class, starting with a 12th-minute block from Lee Naylor's skidding free-kick from 20 yards.

The 20-year-old Carson produced two more reaction stops within a minute, just before the interval, firstly kicking away Rohan Ricketts' deflected drive and then producing an even better save after Naylor's wayward shot ricocheted goalwards off Graham Coughlan.

Wednesday were by no means entirely on the back foot - Chris Brunt coming close in the 37th minute - as the Owls enjoyed their fair share of possession and territory. And the value of Carson's efforts were multiplied in the final minute of the half when Burton escaped down the left and sent in a low cross, which Tudgay tucked inside the near post with a neat left-footed finish. It was his first goal since his January 2nd debut and, bearing in mind Wednesday's earlier counter-attacks, was not entirely a surprise.

Carson's work for the half was not yet over and, in injury time, he produced another fine stop, this time saving Kenny Miller's header from Naylor's corner right on his goal line.

Glenn Hoddle made two changes at the interval, replacing Rob Edwards with former Owl Maurice Ross and going for the direct approach up front, sending on Cort for Miller. The switch paid dividends almost immediately. First, Naylor's inswinging free-kick just eluded Cort at the far post. Then, five minutes after the break, the former Newcastle striker rose highest to head Naylor's corner firmly in.

Although Brunt shot wide almost immediately, the Owls defence was now under sustained pressure for the first time in the contest and Cort again got a header goalwards, although this time Carson produced an easy save. On 66 minutes, the keeper kept out a fierce Frankowski shot and then, from almost nothing, Wednesday were back in the lead.

Burton had both Wolves centre-backs for company when Mikkel Bischoff launched a long pass in his direction but the former Derby striker took both players out with his first touch and fired right-footed past Stefan Postma from 15 yards. It was a goal of real quality and Burton's third in consecutive games.

Wolves came back and Carson was again called upon to deny Paul Ince and Jeremie Aliadiere. Then Joleon Lescott glanced a header wide from Ricketts' free-kick.

Twice more Carson saved the Owls - he produced a fantastic block after Cort had nodded a cross down in Tomasz Frankowski's direction, then despite being hurt in the challenge, reacted to tip wide the Pole's angled shot.

The pressure was finally eased four minutes from time when Burton's backheeled pass was picked up by Tudgay, who advanced into the area and despatched a confident shot past Postma's left hand. It sealed Wednesday's fourth, and best, away win of the season, and took their unbeaten run to three matches.

Wolves (4-4-2): Postma; Edwards (Ross h-t), Gyepes, Lescott, Naylor (Kennedy 75); Miller (Cort h-t), Davies, Ince, Ricketts; Frankowski, Aliadiere. Subs: Oakes, Seol.

Wednesday (4-4-1-1): Carson; Simek, Coughlan, Bischoff, Gilbert (Hills 9); Brunt (Bullen 84), Folly, Whelan, O'Brien; Tudgay; Burton. Subs: McGovern, MacLean, Best.

Attendace: 25,161

Referee: D Drysdale

Booked: Edwards (foul) 5 mins, Miller (dissent ) 45 mins, Aliadiere (foul) 58 mins