Albion's victory against Scunthorpe saw them leapfrog former pacesetters Newcastle United on goal difference after they crashed to defeat at Derby County.
Bednar grabbed his sixth goal in seven league games in the 13th minute to put Albion on course for a fourth successive win and send Scunthorpe slipping to back-to-back defeats.
Substitute Gianni Zuiverloon made the game safe five minutes from time when he collected a pass from Bednar and beat goalkeeper Joe Murphy at his near post.
To add to Scunthorpe's agony, they ended the game with ten men after skipper Cliff Byrne was sent off for an 87th minute challenge on Andwele Slory.
The margin of Albion's victory should have been greater as they squandered a host of chances.
But Scunthorpe could not take advantage of that with their dangerman Michael O'Connor failing to make the most of the two chances that came his way.
After surviving an early scare when Sam Togwell fired just over the bar from 20 yards, Albion took charge and it was only a matter of time before before they broke the deadlock.
Bednar should have made the breakthrough after just eight minutes only to blaze over the bar from eight yards after good work by Frank Nouble, who was making his debut following his arrival on loan from West Ham.
Joe Mattock then fired just wide and Nouble was denied by Murphy before Bednar finally made the Albion pressure pay.
A sweeping pass from Gonzalo Jara picked out Robert Koren on the right wing and his cross was converted from six yards by Bednar.
Scunthorpe, who briefly threatened when O'Connor's long range drive was held by Scott Carson, were fortunate to get to half-time not trailing by a bigger margin.
Chris Brunt's goalbound drive was blocked by central defender Rob Jones before Nouble was frustrated for a second time by Murphy.
Albion continued to waste openings after the interval with Brunt the chief culprit.
The Northern Ireland international winger was frustrated by Murphy and then fired wide after a powerful run into the area.
In between his two chances, O'Connor should really have done better but failed to hit the target from the edge of the area and Scunthorpe were punished when Zuiverloon put the result beyond doubt.