Wolves 1 Colchester Utd 0

In the grand scheme of things, Wolves' win against Colchester is not a result that will send tremors through the rest of the Championship.

And, in the wake of that extraordinary West Bromwich Albion performance in East Anglia, it's not a victory which will have the Baggies running scared ahead of the weekend's resumption of Black Country rivalries.

But given where Wolves now stand, and the fact that Colchester checked in at Molineux unbeaten in six and with the dreaded Manager of the Month awarded freshly sitting on Geraint Williams's mantlepiece, a fifth 1-0 success of the season will do very nicely thank you.

Mick McCarthy's men have been chugging along handily all season but three defeats in four, albeit the most recent at Cardiff which had much to do with a pivotal and ultimately incorrect refereeing decision, might have left a few of gold and black persuasion with one or two doubts during the latest international break.

This performance was neither entirely comfortable nor convincing, but more importantly was just the sort of gritty and clinical display which is so often required amid the hustle and bustle of life in the Championship.

When Wolves needed a goal it came, via Jay Bothroyd six minutes after half-time.

When they needed to defend they defended, not least in a spell midway through the second half when they lost their way slightly further forward.

And when Matt Murray was called upon, as he was to turn Kemal Izzet's daisycutter around the post 12 minutes from time, he was not found wanting.

Home games like these, against supposedly lesser and inferior mortals, have often proved Wolves' Achilles heel in recent years, so little wonder McCarthy was happy enough.

"This was one of the tough games that is indicative of this division," reflected the Wolves manager. "There were spells when we looked comfortable and others when we were really uncomfortable but in the end we got the points.

"Our fans have been understanding of the turnaround at the club this season, they've been terrific. But I just knew today that this was a game they expected us to win, there were no half measures.

"Sometimes that makes things that little bit harder but the lads showed we are a good unit and that's why we've got the points we have so far this season." The first half saw decent chances at both ends, the lion's share for Wolves with Bothroyd flashing a long range drive off the inside of the post, Seyi Olofinjana firing just wide and Rohan Ricketts seeing a low shot squirm through Aidan Davison's clutches before drifting agonisingly off target.

There were also two major penalty appeals with Bothroyd seemingly grabbed by the neck and Gary Breen pushed by Greg Halford. But Colchester also had their moments, Karl Duguid just inches off target with a shot and Richard Garcia squandering a glorious chance from a flicked-on corner.

Bothroyd's deadlock breaker, a well-executed finish from Ricketts' free-kick, was in stark contrast to the spectacular nature of his previous three Wolves goals, but it was enough to give Wolves something to hang on to, which they managed despite Jamie Cureton heading into the side-netting and Izzet's late shot.

Indeed Wolves ultimately finished the stronger and go back into the top six, not that McCarthy was getting carried away. "Back in the top six? I'm not too bothered about that," he insisted.

"The lads are on bonuses for being in the top six so it's great for them. But at this stage I'm not bothered about where we are."..SUPL: