Leicester City's eight match unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end at Hillsborough as they went down 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.
The Foxes piled on the pressure after substitute Mattty Fryatt's 71st minute goal and came close through Fryatt again, who hit the crossbar, and Richard Stearman.
But Marcus Tudgay's two goals - one in either half - ensured it was the Owls who went home happy.
The visitors battled all the way to the end but despite an improved second half display, they were unable to net that all-important second.
Stearman was immediately in the wars and received lengthy treatment from physio Dave Rennie, but he returned to the field albeit a rather gingerly.
Brad Jones raced off his line to collect Darren Kenton's long ball forward with Elvis Hammond in close attendance on three minutes.
The hosts created the first real chance of the contest in the 10th minute when Tudgay met Chris Brunt's cross from the left, but he failed to get enough of his header and the danger was cleared.
Three minutes later, Tudgay headed over from Brunt's corner before the former Derby man shot straight at Conrad Logan after being played in by Wade Small.
The Foxes earned two successive corners soon after but they failed to profit from them.
Tudgay was on the end of all the Owls chances at this point and his well-executed over-head kick from Kenny Lunt's free-kick in the 20th minute came back off Stearman and behind for a corner.
Danny Tiatto drilled his effort over the bar on the half-hour mark after good work from Hammond down the left flank.
However, it was Wednesday who broke the deadlock on 34 minutes.
Frank Simek's ball was expertly chested into the path of Tudgay by strike partner Deon Burton, and he did the best, smashing the ball past Logan from close range for the opener.
Stearman was the first player to be cautioned in the 38th minute when he brought down Yoann Folly.
Small could have doubled his side's advantage three minute later but his effort was well-saved by Logan.
City managed to stave off a sustained spell of pressure from the home side in the dying moments of the first half but they had done enough to go into the interval a goal to the good.
Fryatt replaced Hammond for the start of the second half before Stearman's shot proved comfortable for Brad Jones.
Tiatto was booked for a foul on Madjid Bougherra in the 51st minute then Stearman's back-flick was collected Jones after Kenton's long throw into the danger area.
However, it was the hosts who did double their lead four minutes later thanks to Tudgay's second of the contest.
Deon Burton outfoxed Kenton and Paddy McCarthy down the left side before pulling the ball back for Tudgay, who stroked the ball home first time past a helpless Logan.
City pushed forward in search of a quick reply but McCarthy's looping header was gathered by Jones then Andy Johnson made way for Andy Welsh.
The returning Gareth McAuley was cautioned on 59 minutes before Burton fired over after Tudgay's flick-on.
Momo Sylla replaced Tiatto in the 68th minute then a minute later Welsh's header was cleared off the line by John Hills with keeper Jones in no man's land.
Fryatt handed City a lifeline three minutes later when Bougherra failed to clear a ball into the box and the hitman pounced to see his effort just cross the line despite Jones' best efforts. And Drew Talbot replaced Small before the restart.
Fryatt almost levelled on 78 minutes when his deflected shot glanced off the crossbar with Jones beaten.
Iain Hume became the fourth player to be cautioned moments later for dissent after going down with a head injury.
Hume inadvertently blocked Stearman's volley in the 83rd minute then Stephen Hughes' header flew just wide after Sylla's cross from the right.
Steve MaClean came on for goalscorer Tudgay late on but the hosts had already done enough and completed a 2-1 victory.
City: Logan, Kenton, McAuley, McCarthy ©, Johansson, Stearman, Hughes, Johnson (Welsh 58), Tiatto (Sylla 68), Hume, Hammond (Fryatt 45). Subs not used: Henderson, Maybury.
Owls: Jones, Bullen ©, Bougherra, Simek, Hills, Lunt, Folly, Small (Talbot 72), Brunt, Tudgay (MaClean 87), Burton. Subs not used: O'Brien, Adamson, Whelan.
Yellow Cards
City: Stearman (38), Tiatto (51), McAuley (59), Hume (79)
Owls: None
Referee: Nigel Miller
Attendance: 22,451
