Goals in each half from man-of-the-match Barry Bannan and Lee Gregory steered Wednesday to a comfortable 2-0 win at struggling Crewe this afternoon.
The victory takes us into seventh place and the fringe of the play-offs, level on points with Plymouth in sixth but behind them on goal difference, while leaders Rotherham are seven points clear of us.
After very few chances in the opening 25 minutes, Wednesday took the lead soon afterwards and in some style.
Barry Bannan seized possession in the middle of the park, played a neat one-two with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and fired low past keeper Dave Richards from just inside the penalty area.
We were close to a second 10 minutes later when Theo Corbeanu burst through from midfield but his shot from the edge of the box was turned away by Roberts.
Then Crewe looked to have been given a lifeline in added time when Bannan was adjudged to have handled a ball from Scott Robertson in the box.
However, ex-Sheff U man Chris Porter’s ‘straight down the middle’ spot kick was saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell and the keeper recovered to turn away the follow-up header from Porter.
Wednesday started the second half with real intent, Callum Paterson just failing to turn home Corbeanu’s cross and Lee Gregory bringing a diving save out of Richards.
Moments later it was 2-0 when Jack Hunt’s cross from the right was headed home by Gregory.
Wednesday pushed for a third goal, Callum Paterson having a fierce angled drive pushed away by Richards and then his header came back off a post, sub Josh Windass seeing his effort blocked from the rebound.
That further score just would not come and we allowed the home side more possession in the closing minutes, Liam Palmer clearing off the line from Porter.
However, we were well worth the win and, at the same time, stretching our unbeaten league run to 12 games.
Peacock-Farrell, Hunt, Brennan, Palmer, Johnson, Corbeanu (Shidipo 83), Bannan, Dele-Bashiru (Windass 70), Wing, Paterson, Gregory (Berahino 83). Unused subs. Wildsmith, Brown, Kamberi, Mendez-Laing.
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