Pictures and analysis of Wolves 1 Hull 0

A solitary Kevin Doyle shot that went in, a single Jay Simpson effort that struck the post and stayed out.

On such fine margins will Wolves either fall or survive in this most difficult of seasons.

But, for now, Molineux is transformed and hope once more floods a public which had arrived in a mood of gloomy resignation last night.

Doyle's 54th minute winner was as surprising as it was welcome, following a turgid prelude during which Wolves had done little to suggest they were about to significantly alter their outlook.

Then came the spirit of resistance which then enabled this most flawed of teams to cling to the precious cargo of three points.

It drew a resounding acclaim from the galleries to once again send players and fans forward in unity as they search for salvation.

Hull City, seeking the victory that would all but confirm their Premier League promotion behind Cardiff's, would break through Wolves' back-line just once in the troubled home team's long, long haul to the finishing line.

But as Molineux held its breath, Simpson's left-foot angled strike smacked the base of goalkeeper Dorus De Vries's left-hand post.

It left all to wonder whether they had just witnessed the moment when this wretched trail of misery turned for Wolves. Events elsewhere were also conspiring in their favour.

Attached to this victory came a Huddersfield defeat at Blackburn and a 90th-minute equaliser by Derby's Paul Coutts at Barnsley which combined to help take Wolves out of the bottom three.

There are three more games to negotiate and the chances are many more twists to test the nerves of a public already stressed and strained by the team's dismal slide into this peril.

But, at least, Wolves have their destiny in their hands again and after the events of their previous Molineux outing, everyone will settle for that.

And if the relief which greeted this result is anything to go by, there is quite a party still waiting to be had if Dean Saunders and these players can reach a safe haven.

This represents a dramatic change of mood, not just from Saturday's poisonous outrage at their failings against Huddersfield but even from the first part of last night's game.

The sarcastic cheers which greeted a wayward Tongo Doumbia shot at Hull's goal with nearly 40 minutes gone.

It signalled not only the timidity of Wolves' first-half performance but the mounting condemnation they are received from their exasperated fans.

Hull dominated possession but, it must be said, without offering much greater attacking menace and as the game drifted towards its pivotal moment, the teams appeared in danger of boring each other to a standstill.

But then it happened. Doumbia, called back into the side with Jamie O'Hara in the doghouse and the rest of central midfield crocked, made Hull pay for some dithering 30 yards from their own goal with a forceful interception which saw the ball break to Bjorn Sigurdarson.

Suddenly, Hull were exposed and with Doyle free to his left, Sigurdarson advanced to play in his colleague for a sweet, left-foot finish that swept by goalkeeper David Stockdale.

And Wolves, energised by a surge of conviction and confidence from this unexpected bonus, came to life in protecting it.

For all the prickly relationship Roger Johnson has experienced since signing for the club, there is nothing he relishes more than marshalling a rearguard action from the 18-yard line.

No matter how many crosses the pacey Ahmed Elmohamady and energetic Stephen Quinn flung into his arc of attention, the central defender generally dealt with them.

Instead, it was Wolves who sprang out of their defensive stations to threaten.

Twice they might have added to their lead with Doumbia driving fiercely but inaccurately across Stockdale's line after Doyle had released the supporting Stephen Ward.

But if there is one man who, through his refusal to accept the slide into League One, has captured this resistance from Saunders' team it's Stephen Hunt.

Wen he picked James Chester's pocket in the area six minutes from time, he drew a challenge which would have kept Luis Suarez in penalties for the next month.

Hunt gamely stayed on his feet but then saw his cross-cum-shot blocked – leaving Wolves mightily grateful that Simpson's 75th-minute effort bounced away kindly off the woodwork.

So on we go. Charlton, Burnley and Brighton to navigate. Two more wins required, if the manager's calculations are correct.

But it will be a miracle if Wolves are not still in peril come that trip to the south coast on the last day.

Maybe it is time to believe him. They are Wolves. And they win when they have to.

By Martin Swain