Sheffield Wednesday's poor run continued with a narrow defeat at Walsall.

For the third successive match, the Owls failed to find the net despite enjoying much of the play.

Walsall, on a high after their 3-0 win at Millwall last week, faced an Owls side without talented Dutchman Gerald Sibon, who was rested by manager Terry Yorath following two disappointing goalless home draws.

With Sibon out, Yorath gave Lloyd Owusu his first start of the season.

Both keepers were soon in action, Wednesday's Kevin Pressman easily dealing with a 25-yard shot from Darren Wrack and his opposite number James Walker saving with similar ease from Shefki Kuqi.

Walsall had a golden chance to take the lead but David Zdrilic hit his close-range shot right across the face of the goal.

Pressman was a busy man in the visitors' net, saving again when Wrack drilled in a left-foot shot from near the edge of the box.

Walsall had Martin O'Connor booked for dissent and lost Zdrilic through injury - to be replaced by Gary Birch.

But it hardly interrupted the home side's rhythm - and the Owls found themselves under siege.

Walsall's Ian Roper was booked for dissent but the free-kick was a brief respite.

A minute before half-time, the home side deservedly went ahead when Fitzroy Simpson drilled home a left-footed shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Wednesday raised their game after the interval but despite plenty of possession did not really trouble home keeper Walker, who easily dealt with a 25-yard shot from Alan Quinn.

Walsall might well have doubled their lead when Jorge Leitao met Steve Corica's corner, but he headed wide from six yards.

Another inswinging corner from Corica was scrambled clear by Derek Geary - and Pressman cut out dangerous cross from the inventive Corica.

Owusu had a rare chance for the Owls but shot over from 18 yards.

And a minute from time, Kuqi almost grabbed an equaliser for the visitors but his header from a Leon Knight corner went wide.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Hay, Roper, Wrack, O'Connor, Corica, Simpson, Leitao, Zdrilic. Subs: Ward, Birch, Wright, Barras, Martinez.

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Bromby, Maddix, Geary, Burrows, McLaren, Quinn, Armstrong, Hamshaw, Kuqi, Owusu. Subs: Donnelly, Soltvedt, Stringer, Knight, Westwood.

Referee: P Armstrong (Berkshire).