Roy Keane got the better of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy as Sunderland further enhanced their Coca-Cola Championship promotion prospects.

Goals from Daryl Murphy and Ross Wallace put Keane's men 2-0 ahead after 63 minutes but Wolves hit back almost immediately through Andy Keogh.

That ensured a tense finish but Sunderland held on to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games since the turn of the year.

Keane would deny it but he will relish this victory like no other given that it came against a man with whom he fell out with in such bitter circumstances during the 2002 World Cup.

The hostility dates back to Keane's scathing put-down of McCarthy at a training camp in Saipan when they were captain and manager respectively of the Republic of Ireland.

The rival bosses officially ended one of the most famous and long-standing feuds in football at Molineux in November with a pre-match handshake prior to the sides' 1-1 draw.

There were no handshakes or peace gestures this time around and with precious promotion points at stake there was no disguising how much a positive result would mean to both.

McCarthy, who was sacked as Sunderland boss last March after three years in charge, arrived on Wearside still smarting from his side's humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Southampton last weekend.

And with the returning Carlos Edwards proving a serious threat down the right flank for Sunderland, they soon came under the cosh again.

That said, Murphy's 15th-minute opener came out of nothing and was worthy of winning any match.

The Irishman collected possession deep inside the Sunderland area with his back to goal and two Wolves defenders right behind him.

But one delightful flick carried the ball over both his opponents' head before he chested the ball forward and struck a sweet left-foot volley into the far corner.

That allowed Sunderland to settle and neat interplay between Edwards and Liam Miller gave Stern John a shooting chance on the edge of the six-yard box.

The Trinidad & Tobago frontman fired goalwards but goalkeeper Matt Murray made a fine parried save and Danny Simpson miscued the rebound.

Though Wolves were forced to play largely on the counter-attack they never looked overawed.

And Michael McIndoe's low drilled shot in the 25th minute forced Darren Ward's only save of the opening period.

Wallace then shot wide from distance with a low piledriver and Keane's men were desperately unlucky not to double their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Dean Whitehead's low cross from the right flank was cut back to John, who saw his low shot rebound off the post and into Murray's grateful arms.

Wolves again battled strongly during the second half but after 63 minutes it was 2-0 as Murphy reached the right-hand byline and crossed for Wallace to head in at the far post.

Within two minutes Wolves cut the deficit in half as Keogh stooped to head in McIndoe's left-wing cross to ensure a tense finale.

But it was Sunderland who came closest to adding to their tally and replacement goalkeeper Jan Budtz produced a couple of fine saves to ensure Wolves were not buried under a late avalanche.

Teams:

Sunderland Ward, Simpson (Leadbitter 71), Nosworthy, Evans,Collins, Edwards, Whitehead, Liam Miller,Wallace (Connolly 82), Murphy, John (Elliott 72).

Subs Not Used: Fulop, Varga.

Booked: Nosworthy, Whitehead, Liam Miller.

Goals: Murphy 15, Wallace 63.

Wolverhampton Murray (Budtz 72), Little, Breen, Neill Collins,Clapham, Kightly (Bothroyd 62), Olofinjana, Potter, McIndoe,Ward (Craig Davies 82), Keogh.

Subs Not Used: Craddock, McNamara.

Booked: Keogh.

Goals: Keogh 65.

Att: 40,748

Ref: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).