Sheffield Wednesday gained a just about deserved 2-1 victory over Rushden in a somewhat scrappy match at Nene Park.
Wednesday started the better of the two sides and on nine minutes Alan Quinn beat the off-side trap but he was well wide when clear on goal.
The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute when Leo Roget pushed Kim Olsen in the box and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu scored easily from the penalty spot.
On 22 minutes Onandi Lowe was inches wide with spectacular scissors shot from 10 yards out.
Towards the end of the half both sides found it hard to create clear cut chances with both defences looking secure.
Early in the second half Low had a good chance for Rushden but he blasted his free kick well over from 30 yards out.
Wednesday increased their lead in the 55th minute when Rushden skipper Paul Underwood was harshly adjudged to have handballed in the area and, in his protest, he received a booking. From the resultant spot-kick Ndumbu-Nsungu shot home his second penalty of the match.
Low was again in the thick of the action in the 63rd minute but the Jamaican international saw his fierce shot from just outside the box go inches passed the post.
On 67 minutes Jamie Ashdown had to make a fine save to prevent Jon Shaw scoring on his debut for Wednesday.
Shaw was again close in the 73rd minute when his shot curled inches wide of the post after a fine run from just inside the half way line.
Rushden pulled a goal back on 88 minutes when Ola Tidman failed to gather a long ball from the Rushden defence and Rodney Jack ran on to put the ball in to the empty net.
The goal came too late for Rushden to grab an equaliser and the three points were very welcome for the visitors to take them above the hosts in the league table.