Second half goals from half-time substitute Tom Lowery, Perry Ng and Joe Howell secured the victory but it could, and probably should, have been more.

Crewe had the better of the first period, George Cooper twice going close to breaking the deadlock when his one-on-one effort was saved by the Owls keeper and then he struck the outside of the post with a tight effort on the angle.

Charlie Kirk then did magnificently to dance into the box, past two players, and send the keeper to ground - only to roll his shot into the side-netting at the near post from six yards.

Dave Richards was required to be on top form to make two crucial saves on the stroke of half-time to prevent Wednesday snatching the lead.

George Ray enjoyed his first 45 minutes of football on his return from a broken ankle, but he was withdrawn at the break along with fellow returnee Cooper.

Toby Mullarkey and Lowery were the replacements, and within four minutes of the restart, Lowery made his mark - latching onto Callum Ainley's through-ball to poke it past the oncoming keeper.

Just three minutes later and Crewe doubled the advantage, Perry Ng getting onto the end of a free-kick with a well-timed header - only to see if magnificently saved by the Owls keeper - but Ng reacted quickest to the rebound to nod home.

Crewe were rampant and made it three on the hour mark, the impressive Ainley delivering a pinpoint out-swinging cross for Howell to cushion a first-time effort into the corner.

The remainder of the match saw Crewe in cruise control as they saw out the game professionally to seal all three points.

Crewe: Richards, Kearns, Ray (c) (Mullarkey, 45), Ng, Neal, Finney, Ainley, Kirk, Cooper (Lowery, 45), Brown (Dale, 75)