Wednesday came back from a goal behind to post three huge points from this vital basement battle with Leicester. Goals from Bartosz Slusarski, Steve Watson and Leon Clarke sent the Owls a step nearer safety but plunged the Foxes deep into the relegation mire following a dramatic encounter - that included a missed penalty for both sides - at the Walkers Stadium.
Brian Laws made three changes from the side that slipped up at Blackpool seven days ago. Lee Bullen, Watson and Ben Sahar came in for Peter Gilbert, Burton O'Brien and Jermaine Johnson, the latter of whom dropped to the bench.
Lee Grant was called into action inside three minutes, diving smartly to turn Steven Howard's flicked effort round the post after a frantic goalmouth melee. Grant gathered the resulting corner to give the Owls some breathing space as Leicester were out of the traps with haste.
The home side's gung-ho opening paid off and they went into the lead on nine minutes. Paul Henderson's punt upfield saw Iain Hume go head to head with Bullen, whose backpass to Grant fell short, allowing the in-form Foxes striker to nip in and net his third goal in as many games.
The Foxes lost Patrick Kisnorbo to injury just after the 20-minute mark but the captain's departure did little to deter the hosts' attacking thrust. James Wesolowski rode two challenges to forge a sight on goal and only Grant's agility came to Wednesday's rescue. Richard Stearman then advanced on Grant from the right channel until halted by Watson's perfectly timed challenge inside the box.
The Owls, though, were given a lifeline on 27 minutes. Barry Hayles handled Franck Songo'o's corner and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot. Burton stepped up to place his penalty to the left of Henderson but the Foxes keeper sprang across his goal line to parry the ball to safety.
Wednesday's gloom almost deepened when Howard's half volley fell the wrong side of the post but the visitors grabbed a precious strike a minute before half time. Grant thwarted Spearman after the Foxes man again looked dangerous cutting in from the wing and the Owls launched a swift counter. Songo'o found Slusarski in space down the left side of the penalty area and the West Brom loanee drove a fierce left foot shot across Henderson to haul Wednesday level at a crucial stage of the contest.
Bullen failed to appear for the second period having succumbed to his hamstring strain so Johnson replaced the captain in the right back berth.
But Wednesday started brightly after the break, with Songo'o looking dangerous and the Frenchman was instrumental as the Owls stormed into the lead on 52 minutes. The midfield man was at the hub of a slick passing move that resulted in Watson aiming a slide-rule shot low to the right of the despairing Henderson from 14 yards.
Leicester were sparked into life and Grant tipped Howard's header over the bar. Then the Foxes spurned a glorious chance to draw level after Johnson handled a Howard header and Foy awarded the second penalty of the game. But Hume failed to take advantage, driving his sidefooted spot kick wide of Grant's left post.
The hosts continued to press and Grant kept out Gareth McAuley's header but Leicester struggled to create anything clear cut in front of goal despite bossing possession.
Ian Holloway threw on attacking duo Matty Fryatt and DJ Campbell in a late bid to salvage a point but it was Wednesday that had the final word; substitute Clarke beating the Foxes offside trap to flick a delightful chip over Henderson and seal Wednesday's most significant win of the whole campaign so far.
Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, McAuley, Kisnorbo (N'Gotty 21), Clapham, Bell, Oakley, Wesolowski, Hayles (Fryatt 78), Hume (Campbell 78), Howard
Unused substitutes: Alnwick, Mattock
Wednesday: Grant, Bullen (Johnson 46), Wood, Beevers, Spurr, Songo'o (Wallwork 74) Bolder, Watson, Slusarski, Sahar (Clarke 84), Burton
Unused substitutes: Burch, Esajas
Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 31,892
