Joy for Wednesday

After a tense first half in which neither side were prepared to commit men forward, the Owls sparked into life and Small met Frankie Simek's excellent cross to give them the points.

It was Wednesday's first away win since April, while Norwich continued their poor run of form as they slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat.

The home side started brightly and captain Gary Doherty headed an early chance wide after being found by Simon Lappin's free-kick.

Minutes later Rossi Jarvis shot over the bar as Norwich looked to make the early pressure tell.

Wednesday slowly began to find their rhythm and Tommy Spurr volleyed wide, while Francis Jeffers sent a curling effort from the edge of the box high and wide.

That effort was Jeffers' last contribution to the game as he left was forced off injured and replaced by Marcus Tudgay.

Norwich began to dominate towards the end of the half and Darren Huckerby's drilled shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Richard Wood.

The visitors started the second half in a much more positive fashion and Graham Kavanagh's long-range effort went just wide.

Steve Watson also saw a volley saved by David Marshall before having to come off injured.

However, the loss of their captain did not affect Wednesday's momentum too much and Kavanagh fired another strike from distance wide.

Against the run of play, Huckerby had a decent chance to put Norwich in front after being found by Jamie Cureton's cross, but his effort was saved by Lee Grant.

Norwich were almost made to pay for that miss as Tudgay drove a fierce shot from 20 yards narrowly wide.

The Owls were controlling the game and they made their pressure tell as Small fired them into a deserved lead with 14 minutes remaining.

After some tidy approach play Simek broke down the right and the American, who was making his 100th appearance for the club, steered a teasing low ball across the box which found Small to slot home.

The goal sparked Norwich into life and they almost drew level late on but substitute David Strahava could not connect with Jon Otsemobor's cross.

The home side failed to reply and Wednesday held on for three crucial points.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Murray, Drury, Jarvis,Spillane (Croft 62), Lappin, Huckerby, Brown (Strihavka 74),Cureton.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Russell, Martin.

Booked: Spillane, Cureton.

Sheff Wed: Grant, Simek, Wood, Michael Johnson,Spurr (Hinds 76), Watson (Jermaine Johnson 52), Kavanagh,Whelan, Small, Jeffers (Tudgay 33), Burton.

Subs Not Used: Burch, Sodje.

Booked: Kavanagh, Whelan.

Goals: Small 76.

Att: 23,293

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).