Charlton survived a late Wolves onslaught to record their fifth straight victory and go top of Division One.

Alan Curbishley's side hit back from 1-0 down to go 3-1 up but then went desperately close to squandering two points as they wobbled under heavy pressure.

But they held on to record their first Molineux win for nearly 50 years and in the process end Wolves' four-month unbeaten home run.

Charlton's best football came as they were chasing the game after going one down against the run of play in the 17th minute.

Although Andy Sinton had brought an early save from Dean Kiely, it was still a surprise when Wolves went in front through Norwegian international Havard Flo.

The recalled striker, back in for the suspended Ade Akinbiyi, forced home Darren Bazeley's right wing corner at the second attempt despite being grounded.

Wolves had Ludovic Pollet booked for a foul before John Robinson saw a shot deflected wide and Shaun Newton blazed wildly off target from a chance set up by Andy Hunt.

Hunt saw a left foot chip headed off the line by Pollet and teed up another opportunity from which Newton brought a good save from Michael Oakes.

But Charlton turned the game on its head in the last three minutes of the half, with Richard Rufus heading home superbly at the far post to equalise from Robinson's right wing cross.

And in injury time, Mark Kinsella floated over a left wing corner that was headed in at the near post by Martin Pringle.

Wolves, with club captain Keith Curle on as a half time sub for Pollet, had most of the play in the second half but seemed to be sunk in the 72nd minute when Kinsella released Newton for a fine cross which was headed home at the far post by Robinson.

Only four minutes later Sinton's left wing corner was helped on by Kevin Muscat for the combined efforts of Steve Sedgley and Charlton striker Pringle to force over the line.

Wolves pressed furiously in the final minute and both substitute Steve Corica and Flo went close.

Teams

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Pollet (Curle 46), Sedgley, Naylor, Bazeley, Robinson (Corica 70), Emblen, Sinton, Flo,Branch.

Subs Not Used: Simpson, Tudor, Tudor, Stowell.

Booked: Pollet, Curle.

Goals: Flo 18, Pringle 76 og.

Charlton: Kiely, Shields, Rufus, Brown, Powell, Newton, Stuart (Todd 67), Kinsella, Robinson (Salako 82),Pringle (MacDonald 82), Hunt.

Subs Not Used: Barness, Ilic.

Booked: Pringle.

Goals: Rufus 41, Pringle 45, Robinson 71.

Att: 18,464

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)