RESILIENT Rovers ended their 10-game winless away league run with a battling victory at Hillsborough.

Gary Bowyer’s much-changed side stormed into a deserved and commanding first-half lead thanks to Owls nemesis Jordan Rhodes and Adam Henley’s first goal of his career.

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But they were put under serious pressure in the second half after substitute Chris Maguire reduced the deficit.

However, showing the type of resolve they are going to need in spades in Sunday’s big FA Cup quarter-final clash at Liverpool, Rovers held on to record their first win in five Championship matches.

It is a win that moves them above Wednesday and up to 10th and within 13 points of the play-offs.

The big Rovers news before the game was the signing of young centre-back Doneil Henry on a one-month loan from West Ham United.

With Alex Baptiste joining captain Grant Hanley, Shane Duffy and Jason Lowe on the sidelines, Henry was thrown straight into the starting line-up.

It was the 21-year-old’s first senior appearance in English football and he was swiftly into the action.

Firstly the Canada international won a foot race with Will Keane before he failed to cut out a cross into the box that allowed the twin brother of former Rovers defender Michael Keane a snap-shot that he sent down Jason Steele’s throat.

On a shocker of a pitch it was the confident Owls, who introduced new owner Dejphon Chansiri to the crowd before kick-off, who started the brighter.

But Rovers improved as the match wore on and they took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to Rhodes’ 13th goal of the season and his seventh in his last four visits to the club where his father is on the coaching staff.

A long throw from former Wednesday left-back Tommy Spurr was flicked on by Chris Brown into the path of his strike-partner.

And, with the home defence sleeping, Rhodes nipped in and side-stepped Keiren Westwood before nudging the ball over the line.

Sam Hutchinson then blazed over after a Jacques Maghoma cross found its way to the back post yet it was Rovers who were now doing most of the running.

Only a superb save and then the woodwork prevented them from doubling their advantage in the 25th minute.

After another long throw from Spurr caused chaos and confusion, Chris Taylor played the ball back into the area toward Ben Marshall, whose header was destined for the bottom corner until Westwood got down low to his right to turn it around the post.

The Owls then survived another scare when Marshall, another of their old boys, curled the resulting corner on to the bar.

But Rovers were not to be denied and less than a minute later Henley finished off a flowing team move.

The right-back exchanged passes with Henry and then with Taylor before coolly slipping the ball underneath the advancing Westwood. It was some way to break your duck.

And things could have got worse for Wednesday had referee Eddie Ilderton, who angered both sets of supporters with his erratic decision-making, spotted what looked a clear penalty for a foul by Claude Dielna on Taylor shortly after the start of the second half.

Relieved by the let-off Stuart Gray’ side, chasing their third straight victory, began to bombard the Rovers goal.

And, after stand-in skipper Matt Kilgallon cleared off the line, they made their pressure pay in the 61st minute, with Maguire stabbing home after his initial attempt had been brilliantly saved by Steele.

With the contest now thrillingly open the excellent Kilgallon went straight down the other end of the field and fed Rhodes, whose effort was saved.

But Rovers were now on the back foot and after Lewis McGugan tested Steele from a free kick, Henry and Kilgallon threw their bodies in the way of the ball to stop their goalkeeper from being troubled again.

Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Zayatte (Helan 46), Dielna, McGugan, Semedo (Maguire 40), Hutchinson, Maghoma (May 69), Keane, Nuhiu. Subs not used: Kirkland, Mattock, Lee, Vermijl.

Goal: Maguire 61.

Rovers: Steele, Henley, Henry, Kilgallon, Spurr, Taylor, Williamson, Spearing, Marshall, Rhodes, Brown. Subs not used: Eastwood, Cairney, Olsson, Lenihan, Evans, Conway, Gestede. 

Booked: Henley, Spurr, Brown.

Goals: Rhodes 17, Henley 26.

Referee: Eddie Illerton.

Attendance: 19,593.