Leicester's FA Cup heroes were given a harsh reminder of life in the Coca-Cola Championship as relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday claimed victory at Hillsborough.

Six days after their exhilarating 3-2 comeback win against Tottenham, Craig Levein's men travelled to Sheffield in search of vital Championship points.

But they left empty-handed after Wednesday overturned an early deficit to record a priceless victory which leaves the Foxes winless in eight league encounters.

Richard Stearman's stunning overhead kick put Leicester ahead but first-half strikes from Chris Brunt and skipper Graham Coughlan secured Wednesday the points.

It was the Owls' third successive Championship win and had England cricket captain and Wednesday fanatic Michael Vaughan roaring in approval from the stands.

Last week's remarkable victory against a Spurs side enjoying their best league start for 21 years did not disguise Leicester's wretched Championship form.

And this latest setback leaves them four points from adrift of Paul Sturrock's side, who found themselves a goal down after six minutes.

Leicester's Paddy McCarthy tried his luck from 25 yards but saw his effort deflected narrowly past the post by Wednesday defender Frank Simek.

Gareth Williams' resultant corner from the left was met by Nils-Eric Johansson, who planted a firm header towards goal from six yards. On-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver produced a smart save but he was powerless to prevent Stearman's acrobatic overhead kick from hitting the back of the net.

The defender displayed outstanding dexterity and poise to arch himself into position on the edge of the six-yard box and rifle home his second goal of the season.

Wednesday came back strongly and the partnership of Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton began to threaten the Foxes, though there few goalscoring chances until Brunt's intervention.

The talented midfielder swapped passes with Glenn Whelan on the half-hour mark and hit a stunning left-foot strike from 25 yards into the top corner to draw his side deservedly level.

Wednesday continued to attack with vigour and were rewarded six minutes before the break when Coughlan rose at the far post to nod home John Hills' deep free-kick.

Leicester came out fighting after the break and forced Wednesday back in to their own half for long periods with their aerial bombardment tactics.

But, as so often this season, they lacked the cutting edge required to penetrate the opposing defence.

Half-chances fell to Williams and Joe Hamill but both fired wastefully wide from useful positions.

Leicester poured forward as the half wore on but Wednesday's dominant backline, led superbly by Hills and Coughlan, kept them at bay.

Marc de Vries, last week's last-gasp goal hero against Spurs, looked to snatched a point for Leicester in the closing stages but Weaver was on hand to make a fine low save and preserve Wednesday's lead as the Owls held on for a vital win.

Teams:

Sheff Wed Weaver, Simek, Gilbert, Coughlan, Wood, O'Brien, Whelan (Bullen 79), Hills, Brunt, Burton, Tudgay (Corr 69).

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Diallo, Partridge.

Booked: Weaver.

Goals: Brunt 31, Coughlan 40.

Leicester Douglas, Maybury, Kisnorbo, McCarthy, Johansson, Stearman (Gerrbrand 45), Hughes, Williams, Hammond (Hume 66), Hamill (Fryatt 75), de Vries.

Subs Not Used: Dublin, O'Grady.

Booked: McCarthy, de Vries.

Goals: Stearman 7.

Att: 25,398

Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).