In truth, the Magpies took their time to get going at Hillsborough, though they were unfortunate not to head into the break in front after Jonjo Shelvey’s sensational effort from range almost caught out goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

Wednesday upped the ante in the second half, however, and opened the scoring thanks to imposing centre-half Lees, who headed home Ross Wallace’s free-kick from the right.

Fletcher peeled off Jamaal Lascelles to add a second for the Owls less than ten minutes later, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.

At that point, a grandstand finale did not look likely, but Shelvey offered the travelling support a flicker of hope with 88 minutes on the clock after pouncing on a loose ball.

There was to be no further drama, however, meaning the Magpies remain second in the table – two points shy of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle were fortunate not to fall behind just two minutes in. Paul Dummett was only able to clear a low Pudil cross as far as Gary Hooper, who saw a first-time strike come back off the woodwork with Karl Darlow beaten.

It was an opportunity squandered by the home side, and they saw an even better one go amiss just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark.

Hooper held his line to gather Barry Bannan’s dinked ball across the top of the defence, and unselfishly teed up Fletcher. The Scot appeared to be left with a simple finish, but somehow sliced wide of the near post.

Midway through the first half, Fletcher again came close. Hooper robbed Chancel Mbemba of possession deep on the right flank and cut the ball back for his fellow frontman, who – under pressure from Lascelles – was just unable to convert.

United were dealt a blow 30 minutes in, as leading goalscorer Dwight Gayle was forced to leave the pitch through injury. However, his replacement, Daryl Murphy, almost made an immediate impression, seeing a deflected effort on the turn squirm just wide of the far post.

Though Wednesday had enjoyed by far the better of the opening period, they almost found themselves trailing heading into the break. With Westwood off his line, Shelvey tried his luck from inside his own half, but the crossbar denied the midfielder a magnificent opener.

Shelvey took aim from far closer distance early into the second half, but Westwood got both hands to his low-struck effort.

United’s No. 12 was afforded another sight of goal just five minutes later, after Yoan Gouffran was tripped by Jack Hunt 20 yards out. His free-kick was sweetly-struck, but Westwood got down well to parry.

Just before the hour-mark, however, the deadlock was broken at the other end. After Gouffran was penalised for a trip wide on the right, Wallace curled an inviting free-kick into the heart of the 18-yard box, and Lees rose high to guide the ball home.

Murphy nodded a Shelvey corner well wide of the target as the Magpies looked to respond, but Rafa Benitez’s side were soon undone again.

The Owls’ second came in simple fashion, as Fletcher held off Lascelles’ challenge to flick Pudil’s looping throw-in beyond Darlow.

Newcastle took their time to find their feet again. Not until the final 15 minutes did they next register an effort at goal, as Shelvey – their liveliest asset all evening – stung the palms of Westwood after receiving Ayoze Perez’s lay-off.

Substitute Jordan Rhodes almost put the outcome beyond doubt after entering the fray, but sent Fletcher’s cross-come-shot high of the target from an inviting position.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Shelvey grabbed a lifeline for United, stabbing home from close range after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s effort was parried by Westwood.

The Owls’ ‘keeper was soon called into action again, gathering Lascelles’ header low to his right following a Shelvey corner.

It was to prove an important stop, as Carlos Carvalhal’s side saw out the closing moments to move back into the division’s top six.