A brilliant Efan Ekoku strike sent Sheffield Wednesday on their way to a third win under caretaker boss Peter Shreeves.

Ekoku scored a fantastic individual goal seven minutes before half-time to put the Owls into a deserved lead, and Italian striker Michelle Di Piedi doubled the home side's lead after coming on in the second half.

Gillingham ensured a tense finish for Wednesday when Carl Asaba pulled one back with eight minutes remaining, but the Owls hung on to secure a much-needed win to boost their battle against relegation.

Wednesday struggled to find their feet early in the game, with long-range efforts from Gerald Sibon and Matthew Hamshaw their only real attempts at goal.

After 24 minutes Wednesday created their best opportunity when Alan Quinn's through-ball was met by Ekoku.

The former Wimbledon striker cut onto his right foot but fired just inches wide of the keeper's left-hand post.

Gillingham were limited to hitting Wednesday on the break, notably when Chris Hope headed a Barry Ashby free-kick straight at Owls keeper Kevin Pressman.

In the 38th minute Sibon's challenge on Ashby allowed the ball to drop to Ekoku 10 yards in his own half.

The Nigerian international ran at goal before finding space to curl a 25-yard shot past Gillingham keeper Vince Bartram.

Wednesday should have doubled their lead two minutes before the break.

On-loan midfielder Trond Soltbedt burst through the Gillingham defence before rounding Bartram, only to see his tight-angle attempt cleared off the line by Hope.

Gillingham started the second half brightly and Marlon King forced Pressman into a fine stop.

Pressman was again called into action when Paul Shaw found space to fire in a tight-angled attempt.

Despite Gillingham's pressure, it was Wednesday who scored again when Di Piedi latched on to a weak Ashby backpass before lobbing the stranded Bartram.

Gillingham however had not given up the fight and after 82 minutes substitute Asaba pulled a goal back.

Iffy Onuora's cross was met by Asaba 12 yards from goal and as the Owls' defence stood off the striker powered a shot past Pressman.

The goal lifted the visitors as Wednesday looked rattled, and Asaba was twice denied in the closing seconds by Pressman.

Teams:

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Walker, Quinn (Morrison 88), Sibon, Hendon, Lescott (Haslam 74), Hamshaw (Di Piedi 55), Soltvedt, Westwood, Ekoku, Bromby.

Subs Not Used: Stringer, De Bilde.

Goals: Ekoku 38, Di Piedi 59.

Gillingham: Bartram, Smith, Ashby, Southall, Gooden, Browning, Saunders (Onuora 64), King (Asaba 73), Pennock, Hope, Shaw.

Subs Not Used: Patterson, Nosworthy, James.

Goals: Asaba 81.

Att: 18,702

Ref: M Jones (Leeds).