Bolton's Dean Holdsworth and Michael Ricketts both scored and set-up vital goals as Sam Allardyce's men strolled to victory at Wolves to ignite the battle for automatic promotion to the Premiership.

The visitors strike duo reaped the rewards of sloppy home defending to clinch a priceless Molineux triumph that keeps the pressure on second-placed Blackburn ahead of their Lancashire derby at play-off certainties Preston tomorrow night.

Allardyce's victory - against the club he supported as a boy - leaves Bolton a point behind Rovers.

Victory for Graeme Souness' side tomorrow would clinch their elevation to the top flight, but a draw or defeat would prise the door open for Bolton.

Bolton's victory at morgue-like Molineux was fully deserved - although they had to weather an impressive display from their mid-table hosts.

Holdsworth took full advantage of a dreadful mix-up in the Wolves defence to lash home the first after 20 minutes.

Then the former Wimbledon striker clipped a clever ball to Ricketts for him to smash home the second mid-way through the second half.

In between the Bolton goals, Wolves' Adam Proudlock struck the Bolton upright - but the visitors triumph was exactly what they deserved.

The home side's Michael Branch was a thorn in Bolton's side throughout, and he skinned Simon Charlton to tee-up Proudlock for a wonderful chance after just eight minutes.

Visiting goalkeeper Matt Clarke made a point-blank stop - and saved again seconds later when Branch tickled a clever Kevin Muscat cross goalwards.

The opener arrived as Ricketts attempted to nudge the ball towards Holdsworth, on the edge of the home penalty area.

The Wolves defence dallied and Holdsworth strode forward to thump the ball between Michael Oakes' legs.

Ricketts almost made it two seconds later when he outpaced Joleon Lescott, but Oakes saved.

The closest Wolves came to scoring all night was when Proudlock played a crafty one-two with Temuri Ketsbaia. The striker hit the outside of Clarke's left post from 20 yards.

He should have done better later in the first half when he could only flick a Lee Naylor through ball into Clarke's hands.

After a dull opening 20 minutes of the second period, Holdsworth closed down the Wolves defence, won the ball and dinked a delicious ball to strike partner Ricketts, 18 yards from goal.

Bolton's top scorer took a cool touch and cracked the ball into the back of the Wolves net, via the inside of Oakes right post.

Holdsworth came close again when Oakes gathered his strike at the second attempt, but Dave Jones' men showed determination to finish the match on top.

Substitute Cedric Roussel prodded goalwards, but Clarke gathered.

Then Neil Emblen, who had also come off the bench, thumped a decent header from a Branch cross into the turf - and the ball bounced onto the roof of the net.

Teams

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Naylor, Robinson (Emblen 74), Lescott, Ketsbaia, Sinton (Roussel 63), Andrews, Dinning, Branch, Proudlock.

Subs Not Used: Stowell, Robert Taylor, Camara.

Booked: Muscat.

Bolton: Clarke, Whitlow, Bergsson, Barness, Charlton, Farrelly, Hansen, Gardner, Elliott, Holdsworth (Frandsen 86), Ricketts (Marshall 87).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Nolan, Richardson.

Goals: Holdsworth 20, Ricketts 70.

Att: 16,242

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).