Sunderland left it late to shake off their midweek Worthington Cup disappointment and extend their lead at the top of the First Division to 11 points.

Niall Quinn grabbed a priceless injury-time winner after Wolves had survived a second half onslaught.

Allan Johnston gave Peter Reid's the perfect start, grabbing his fifth goal of the season after just 10 minutes.

But a bizarre own goal by Welsh international Andy Melville in the 23rd minute gave promotion play-off hopefuls Wolves an unexpected equaliser.

Ironically Melville put through his own goal in the corresponding fixture last season which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result was to prove costly to Sunderland's promotion dream but Reid's side have now established a commanding position at the top.

Apart from Kevin Phillips hitting the bar, however, Sunderland rarely tested goalkeeper Mike Stowell and but for a dubious decision by Preston referee Phil Richards, they could have fallen to the sucker punch.

Havard Flo held off Melville and forced the ball past Thomas Sorensen and Robbie Keane was adjudged to have fouled Michael Gray when applying a finishing touch.

Keane forced Sorensen into a brilliant first half save and constantly had the home defence at full stretch with his darting runs.

Paul Butler and Lee Clark were guilty of squandering excellent second half chances as Sunderland piled on the pressure but their blushes were spared by Quinn's late intervention with his 17th goal of the season.

Teams

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Melville, Butler, Gray, Summerbee, Clark, Ball, Johnston, Quinn, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Williams, Dichio, Bridges.

Goals: Johnston 10, Quinn 90.

Wolverhampton: Stowell, Atkins, Richards, Curle, Muscat, Emblen, Osborn, Sedgley, Simpson, Flo, Keane.

Subs Not Used: Connolly, Robinson, Gilkes.

Booked: Flo.

Goals: Melville 23 og.

Att: 41,268

Ref: P Richards (Preston).