Back in February 2002 on a soggy night at Deepdale, debutant Paul Reid helped the Lilywhites to a convincing victory over the relegation-threatened Owls at Deepdale.
Having fallen into the dreaded drop-zone after their 3-1 home capitulation to Crystal Palace the previous Saturday, Terry Yorath's Wednesday arrived in Preston desperate for a result of any kind.
But on a pitch made treacherous by the deluge that preceded the match, goals from Dickson Etuhu, Jon Macken, Reid and substitute David Healy gave the hosts a comfortable win.
Alan Quinn's fortunate strike had brought the Owls back into the game at 2-1, but once they had squandered two superb chances to level early in the second half, there was only going to be one winner.
The heavy conditions were bound to provide fertile ground for errors and so it proved in the opening exchanges. But the first goal was simplicity itself.
A typically accurate corner was nodded in at the near post by Etuhu, who arrived from Manchester City the previous month, for his first goal in a North End shirt.
Number two arrived nine minutes later. Macken, who just days before was taken off the transfer list to the delight of the North End fans, took advantage of space provided by the Wednesday back four to drive a low ten-yard shot underneath the body of on-loan keeper Paul Heald.
The Lilywhites could have made it three through Macken again, but Terry Yorath's men were gifted a lifeline in the 36th minute when Graham Alexander's slip allowed Quinn to side-foot home and briefly make the game a contest.
PNE, playing their fourth game in 11 days, claimed the crucial third goal on 66 minutes. Again, Alexander was the provider as his corner was headed home by Reid, making his debut after joining on loan from Rangers – in what proved to be his only appearance for the club!
Seven minutes later the margin increased further when Etuhu, who looked impressive in midfield throughout, cleverly set up Healy and the Northern Ireland international converted for his ninth of the campaign.
Wednesday did pull another one back, Efan Ekoku drilling home from the spot after Soltvedt was up-ended. But it was not enough and a desperate survival battle beckoned for the south Yorkshire side.
PNE line-up: Moilanen, Alexander, Gregan (Reid, 33), Edwards, Eaton, Cartwright, Etuhu, Keane, Anderson (Healy, 61), Cresswell, Macken. Subs not used: Lonergan, Sow, Skora.
Sheffield Wednesday line-up: Heald, Haslam, Bromby (Maddix, 10), Westwood (Crane, 86), Geary, Hamshaw (Bonvin, 71), Soltvedt, McLaren, Quinn, Johnson, Ekoku. Subs: Donnelly, Roberts.
Attendance: 14,038
Referee: Mr M Clattenburg (Cramlington)