Preston kept their play-off dream alive at the expense of Wednesday, who are back in relegation trouble.

The struggling Owls - who last week climbed out of the relegation zone - matched up to their opponents in the first half. But they never recovered from the shock of falling two goals behind in quick succession.

Within four minutes of the restart midfielder Paul McKenna hit the mark with a stunning 25-yarder. McKenna took his goal tally to three following Rob Edwards' pass which found his team-mate in plenty of space.

Goalkeeper Kevin Pressman desperately tried to keep it out, but could not stop the ball rifling into the corner of the net.

Three minutes later Wednesday were hit by a second whammy. Jon Macken, who missed Tuesday's defeat against Birmingham City, clinched his 15th goal of the season from the sharpest of angles.

Initially Edwards crossed from the left and Macken somehow stabbed the ball in from close range.

Wednesday held their own in the first half, Efan Ekoku was alone up front with Gerald Sibon playing right-sided midfield and in the front line when needed.

Leigh Bromby's powerful 18-yard strike on 22 minutes was palmed away by the keeper.

Later an Ekoku cross from the by-line set up a great chance for Trond Soltvedt whose shot was deflected.

Preston should have added a third goal from a neat move on 80 minutes.

Edwards' free-kick found Colin Murdock on the far post. Murdock headed sideways, but the lurking Macken could only manage to head wide.

Towards the end Deepdale was hit by a snowfall and Sheffield nearly grabbed a consolation goal.

Ekoku planted a 10-yard header which rebounded off the bar and luckily for Preston, Edwards was on hand to clear away the danger for a corner.

The end result means that the north-west is proving to be a miserable hunting ground for the Owls who recently parted company with manager Paul Jewell.

Teams:

Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Murdock, Edwards, Jackson, Cartwright, McKenna, Rankine, Gunnlaugsson (Gregan 57), Macken, Healy (Barry-Murphy 90).

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Kidd, Anderson.

Booked: Jackson.

Goals: McKenna 49, Macken 52.

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Hendon, Bromby, Westwood, Walker, Sibon, Soltvedt, Crane (De Bilde 59), Palmer, Quinn (Morrison 58), Ekoku.

Subs Not Used: Stringer, Haslam, Geary.

Booked: Crane, Ekoku, Palmer, Walker.

Att: 14,379

Ref: D Pugh (Bebington).