Wolves 1 Birmingham 0

Severely-depleted Wolves to go Albion next week with double Part One of their derby doubler header sewn up after a thoroughly deserved win over Birmingham.

Stephen Hunt scored for the second successive home game seconds before half-time, as Wolves kept a clean sheet for the first time in 23 games.

But the scoreline flattered Blues, as Wolves were excellent value to make it back-to-back home wins.

Injury-hit Wolves were hit by a triple blow before kick-off when Kevin Doyle (dead leg) and Matt Jarvis and Michael Mancienne (both knee) failed to recover in time from injuries at last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Blackburn.

The three were two of a staggering 11 players out for Wolves as boss Mick McCarthy was forced into four changes to the team beaten at Ewood Park.

McCarthy also reverted to 4-4-2 with Stephen Ward up front alongside Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – and the unlikely strike partnership were excellent.

David Edwards (thigh) returned after missing four games while Richard Stearman, Stephen Hunt and Ebanks-Blake replaced the injured Steven Mouyokolo, Mancienne, Jarvis and Doyle.

Despite the absences, McCarthy's depleted side were 'up' for it from the first whistle.

Wolves had a bright start and only an excellent fingertip save from goalkeeper Ben Foster prevented them from taking a 10th minute lead from Edwards' glancing header.

Thirty seconds later, Foster was in action again, to deny Hunt from point-blank range again after the busy Ward wreaked havoc.

Playing up front for the first time in over two and a half years, Ward proved he was up for the challenge both in the air and on the ground to sum up the commendable spirit in the Wolves ranks.

And it was the irrepressible Irishman who started the attack that led to the next chance, Foster falling to his left to smother Ebanks-Blake's shot on the turn from the edge of the box.

Ebanks-Blake was denied again in the 37th minute with a fierce effort palmed away by Foster at his near post.

After dominating the first half, there was little surprise when Wolves got the goal their play richly deserved.

Edwards flicked on for Ebanks-Blake, who outmuscled Roger Johnson before crossing to Hunt, who got between Stephen Carr and Scott Dann to volley home at the near post from five yards out to send Molineux wild with ecstacy.

Wolves continued their onslaught at the start of the second-half and Edwards missed a golden chance to make it 2-0, heading wide from point-blank range from Ward's cross.

McCarthy's side didn't let up and Nenad Milijas saw a curling free kick saved at the foot of the post before Foster tipped his header over.

Wolves had a painful reminder that it wasn't all their way in the 68th minute, when Christophe Berra collided with the post stretching to reach Milijas' cross.

Thankfully for McCarthy's side, the Scot was able to continue despite limping heavily.

And, as Wolves retreated to protect their lead, it was Berra, along with Richard Stearman, Ronald Zubar and George Elokobi who kept Blues at bay.

Whether it was a head, a foot or a backside, it didn't matter as Wolves threw everything in their way to keep their noses in front and gain another vital three points in their quest to stay up.