The hosts’ clinical edge in front of goal has been a persistent issue this season, such is head coach Gerhard Struber’s desire to add another striker before the transfer window closes on 2 February.
Without top scorer and playmaker Anis Mehmeti, who left for Ipswich on Friday, their lack of go-forward was further exacerbated as they enjoyed most of the possession but created few real chances during the first half.
It was not until the 34th minute that Twine was picked out in the box by Riis’ cross and should have scored only for two excellent Murphy Cooper saves in succession to deny him.
Struber brought on Sinclair Armstrong at the break and he quickly got into the action, shaking off his defender in the box and squaring to Riis but again Cooper excellently kept the Owls at 0-0 with his trailing foot, despite diving the opposite way.
Depleted and struggling, Sheffield Wednesday had zero shots on target throughout the match as their inexperienced side sat back and as the hosts ramped up the pressure eventually they found a way through.
Twine had already seen a free header miss the target but second time around he found the net, getting into a gap between two centre-halves to jump up and head in McCrorie’s cross.
Bell then made it 2-0, 13 minutes after coming off the bench, pouncing onto a rebound for a simple tap-in after Armstrong was closed down in the box to wrap up a first league win since New Year’s Day.
Away fans chanted ‘There’s only one Barry Bannan’ throughout and the club veteran was given his moment in added time as he was substituted off to a standing ovation from Ashton Gate, in what looked like his final appearance in an Owls shirt after more than a decade.
