Championship play-off hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday beat second-placed Newcastle, who again lost star striker Dwight Gayle through injury. The Owls spurned numerous fine chances before the break, but scored twice after half-time through guided headers from Tom Lees and Steven Fletcher. Jonjo Shelvey, who had earlier hit the bar from inside his own half, smashed home to set up a nervy finish. But the sixth-placed Owls held on to ensure Newcastle remain second. The Magpies are two points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, who leapfrogged Rafael Benitez''s side with victory over Queens Park Rangers on Friday. But, most crucially, Newcastle still hold a 10-point gap to third-placed Huddersfield after defeats for the Terriers and Reading on Saturday - meaning three wins from their final five games will guarantee an instant return to the top flight. Newcastle, who along with Brighton have occupied a top-two spot since October, were never at their best against Wednesday, with Gary Hooper and Fletcher both missing gilt-edged chances early on. Top goalscorer Gayle hobbled off injured soon after, although Shelvey''s audacious first-time strike from inside his own half almost put the visitors ahead against the run of play. But Lees'' header back across goal and Fletcher''s superbly steered effort from a long throw-in put Wednesday in command after the interval, and they held on to complete a league double over Newcastle, despite Shelvey''s late consolation.