Brynjar Gunnarsson fired a last-minute winner as Stoke secured their first league win in 17 matches against crestfallen Sheffield Wednesday.

This basement battle was heading for a draw after Wednesday twice hit back to seemingly deny the Potters a rare win, but Icelandic defender Gunnarsson volleyed home in the dying seconds from the edge of the box and the Britannia Stadium erupted.

Chris Iwelumo headed Stoke into a deserved 16th-minute lead, but Chris Turner's side responded in style by equalising through Gerald Sibon shortly after.

The impressive Iwelumo netted his second in the 66th minute only for on-loan striker Adam Proudlock to fire the Owls level minutes later with a stunning volley of his own.

Owls boss Turner handed loan striker Lee Bradbury his first start as his search for a consistent goalscorer continues, Chris Stringer was in goal for the injured Kevin Pressman and Owen Morrison was recalled to the bench due to Matt Hamshaw's knee injury.

Stoke burst out of the blocks in pursuit of their first League win since a 2-1 success over Ipswich on September 9 with Peter Hoekstra testing Stringer in only the third minute with a stinging 25-yarder and Iwelumo connecting with a Bjarni Gudjonsson cross that he headed straight at the keeper.

Iwelumo then headed another Gudjonsson cross over the bar and with Wednesday stretched Tony Crane was booked for his clattering challenge on the lively Stoke front man.

Wednesday had to wait until the 15th minute for their first effort on goal, Paul McLaren's weak shot dropping over the bar and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead.

Gudjonsson crossed to the far post, Gunnarsson nodded the ball down and Iwelumo reacted quickest to head the ball beyond Stringer.

But Wednesday - suitably perked following their first win under Turner last week - were not short of confidence and following a series of crosses from Derek Geary and Allan Johnston the visitors hit back.

On-loan winger Johnston whipped in another ball from the left and Dutchman Sibon slammed the ball home right-footed from close in.

Johnston, revelling in his free role since arriving on loan from Middlesbrough, then brought the best out of Stoke keeper Steve Banks, who tipped his dipping 35-yarder over the bar.

Iwelumo then went close for Stoke on two occasions straight after the restart, first volleying inches wide right-footed from 25 yards and then heading Gudjonsson's cross the same side of the post minutes later.

Stoke were now pressing hard and Stringer then held an Iwelumo header from a Wayne Thomas cross and plucked a dangerous ball in from Hoekstra out of harm's way.

But back came Wednesday again after soaking up the pressure, Proudlock getting free down the right and crossing for Sibon to power a header straight at Banks.

Iwelumo though made amends for several glaring misses. Hoekstra showed some wizardry out wide before playing in a dangerous cross and the big front man stabbed the ball home after Chris Greenacre had helped it on.

Turner sent on Morrison for the injured Sibon soon after, but the Owls were not behind for long.

Johnston headed Geary's free-kick into Proudlock's path and the on-loan Wolves striker volleyed home to make it 2-2.

Proudlock had another long-range effort blocked by James O'Connor and Greenacre's 25-yard curler forced Stringer into a sharp save as both sides went looking for the winner.

Stringer denied Greenacre again from the edge of the area, Gunnarsson blazed wide and the Wednesday keeper saved his best until last, denying Hoekstra from close range, before Gunnarsson broke the visitors' resistance.

Teams

Stoke Banks, Thomas, Handyside, Shtanuk, Marcus Hall, Gudjonsson (Marteinsson 90), O'Connor, Gunnarsson, Hoekstra, Greenacre, Iwelumo.

Subs Not Used: Cutler, Neal, Henry, Vandeurzen.

Booked: Iwelumo, Gunnarsson, Hoekstra.

Goals: Iwelumo 16, 66, Gunnarsson 90.

Sheff Wed Stringer, Haslam, Crane, Geary, Monk, McLaren, Soltvedt, Johnston, Bradbury, Sibon (Morrison 70), Proudlock.

Subs Not Used: Evans, Westwood, Kuqi, Quinn.

Booked: Crane, Soltvedt, Geary.

Goals: Sibon 23, Proudlock 72.

Att: 16,042

Ref: K Townsend (County Durham).