Wednesday begin 2003 with winning ways

The Owls celebrated the New Year with a fine 2-0 win at local rivals Rotherham United. It was Wednesday's first away win of the season and lifted them, for now anyway, off the foot of the Division One table. A rare Shefki Kuqi strike in the 68th minute set Wednesday on their way, whilst Adam Proudlock scored in his second consecutive game, taking advantage of some mediocre defending from the Millers.

Chris Turner was delighted to have recorded his second win in three games, following the fine 2-0 Boxing Day victory over Nottingham Forest just last week. But the former Hartlepool United boss is refusing to get too excited, assuring his players they have a tough four and a bit months ahead if they're to avoid the drop.

This match report from the BBC Football website:

Shefki Kuqi and Adam Proudlock struck second-half goals to give Sheffield Wednesday their first away win of the season. The three points also allowed the Owls to move off the bottom of the First Division and leave Brighton at the foot of the table. The visitors were dominant throughout, with Kuqi heading home Derek Geary's cross after 68 minutes, before Proudlock capped a fine display with a second in injury-time.

Wednesday keeper Kevin Pressman was a surprise inclusion after recovering from a calf problem and he was called into service early on when he was tested by Millers defender Martin McIntosh. The on-loan Proudlock, who scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's cruel 3-2 defeat at Stoke, came close to adding to his tally with a powerful header that had Mike Pollitt scrambling.

The home side were dealt a blow after 38 minutes as John Mullin, who had earlier been booked for a late challenge on Westwood, limped out of the action to be replaced by Darren Garner. Bradbury, on loan from Portsmouth, came agonisingly close to giving the visitors the lead when his fierce shot crashed back off the crossbar with Pollitt stranded.

Half-time: Rotherham 0-0 Owls

Chris Turner brought on Alan Quinn in place of McLaren at the start of the second half, and the substitute was straight into the action sending over a teasing free-kick which Westwood headed over the crossbar from six yards. Wednesday finally took the lead their dominance deserved with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Geary's cross from the left found Finnish international Kuqi and he netted his sixth goal of the season with a header that squirmed past Pollitt. Wednesday continued to push forward for a second with Kuqi and substitute Leigh Bromby going close. But Proudlock made the points safe after he was set clear by Kuqi. After his first shot was superbly saved by Pollitt, he made no mistake with the rebound.