Wolves enjoyed a Good Friday to remember as they regained their five-point lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a convincing victory over troubled Southampton.

Mick McCarthy’s charges had the game wrapped up with just 19 minutes on the clock as they raced into a 3-0 lead, and had further chances to add to their tally in a comfortable afternoon.

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Sam Vokes headed home the opener inside the first minute before defender Jody Craddock got in on the act shortly after.

David Jones then added a third from the penalty spot to plunge Saints – who are confident of avoiding a 10-point penalty after parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings went into administration – further into the relegation mire.

The pressure was on McCarthy’s side after a 2-0 defeat to Midlands rivals Birmingham on Monday night saw their advantage at the top cut to just two points.

And despite missing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Chris Iwelumo and Michael Kightly through injury, they made a dream start by taking the lead inside a minute.

Wales striker Vokes, recalled to the starting line-up, forced a corner and then headed the resulting set-piece from Jones into the net – his first goal in nine games.

Things went from bad to worse for the struggling Saints, who went into the game without a win in six matches, when they conceded again five minutes later.

Another Jones delivery landed on the head of Craddock, who steered the ball into the corner of the net to register his first goal since October 2007.

Wolves were flying and went close to making it 3-0 in the ninth minute but Andy Keogh’s drive flew just wide.

Southampton had a glimpse of goal in the 13th minute but Marek Saganowski’s header went wide.

But it was the hosts who grabbed a third goal with just 19 minutes gone. Saganowski, who bagged a superb hat-trick at Molineux in Saints’ 6-0 success back in 2007, brought down David Edwards and Jones found the roof of the net with the resulting penalty.

Saints boss Mark Wotte introduced Jason Euell and Bradley Wright-Phillips at the interval in an attempt to salvage something from the game.

And Euell almost pulled one back in the 51st minute but he failed to get any real contact on the ball as it found its way back to him following Wayne Hennessey’s smart stop from Saganowski.

From then on it was Wolves who came closest to adding to their tally with Vokes, Keogh and substitute Marlon Harewood – making his home debut – all going close.

As Wolves celebrated their first home victory over Saints since 1979, a Mexican wave swept around Molineux in the closing stages.

By Drew Williams