Sheffield Wednesday completed a narrow win over bottom of the league Nottingham Forest, consigning their near-neighbours to a fifth successive away defeat.
But they had to depend on a deflected effort from Etienne Esajas to assure maximum points.
It was a further boost to the Owls, who say its the best points haul at from start of the season since the team came down from the Premier League 10 years a
go.
Forest did little to demonstrate they were capable of climbing off the foot of the table in a scrappy first half at Hillsborough.
Forest have failed to pick up a point on their travels this season and the lack of confidence in their side was evident against a Sheffield Wednesday side who boast an unbeaten home record in the league after an impressive start to their campaign.
The only goalscoring opportunity of note in a drab opening 45 minutes came two minutes before the break when Tommy Spurr's inviting cross was headed wastefully wide by Deon Burton.
Wednesday had injury concerns over winger Wade Small and captain Steve Watson following their victory at Charlton on Saturday, but both were included in the starting line-up.
However Jermaine Johnson missed out with an ankle injury, which gave Etienne Esajas an opportunity to impress.
Forest dropped Lee Martin and Guy Moussi to the bench and Wes Morgan was unavailable due to suspension, so Matt Thornhill, Joel Lynch and Ian Breckin were handed starts.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood urged his men to play with "anger" following their latest away defeat at Plymouth and it was clear they would have to be up for the fight against a confident Wednesday side.
It looked like Forest might be up against it when Marcus Tudgay burst through after 11 minutes, and although Kelvin Wilson appeared to pull the striker back, referee Andy D'Urso saw nothing amiss.
Forest showed little quality on the ball but they did show plenty of commitment in a scrappy opening 45 minutes.
Wednesday should have broken the deadlock two minutes before the break when Spurr crossed for the unmarked Burton who headed wide from just six yards.
But on 48 minutes Esajas put Wednesday's nose in front.
The crowd were hoping they would build on it. But the visitors came back strongly and perhaps deserved a point.
Grant came to Wednesday's rescue right at the last, diving low to his right to expertly keep out Cole's driven shot and the Owls held on to seal three more points and fifth slot in the Championship table.
Full report in Wednesday's Star
Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Tony McMahon, Richard Wood (C), Tommy Spurr, Peter Gilbert, Wade Small, James O'Connor, Sean McAllister, Etienne Esajas, Deon Burton, Marcus Tudgay
Subs: Richard O'Donnell, Mark Beevers, Jimmy Smith, Leon Clarke, Francis Jeffers
Nottingham Forest: Paul Smith, Kelvin Wilson, Ian Breckin, Joel Lynch, Luke Chambers, Julian Bennett, James Perch, Chris Cohen, Matt Thornhilll, Andrew Cole, Nathan Tyson
Subs: Arron Davies, Guy Moussi, Lee Martin, Garath McCleary, Emile Sinclair
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