Two goals by Ade Akinbiyi revived Wolves' play-off hopes and effectively ensured that Barnsley will have to go into overtime if they are rejoin the Premiership.

Akinbiyi had missed last weekend's defeat at Norwich through an additional one-match suspension imposed by the FA following his explosive sending-off against Nottingham Forest in February.

But he returned to action to great effect as he struck just before and just after half time to make it eight wins and a draw from his club's last nine home games.

The win leaves Wolves only three points behind Huddersfield, with three matches to go, and dented Barnsley's reputation as the first Division's leading goal scorers.

In a highly competitive game, Wolves were usually the better side, although Dave Bassett's team missed several chances late on.

Akinbiyi might have opened his account early on when he dragged wide from 15 yards, then he was beaten to a loose ball by Steve Chettle as he raced in for the rebound after Kevin Muscat's 25-yard drive had dipped and thudded out of the chest of the diving Kevin Miller.

Barnsley failed to bring a save out of home keeper Michael Oakes in the first half, although they had three penalty appeals, the most heated of them bringing a booking for Georgi Hristov following a goal-mouth scramble.

But, seconds after that escape, Wolves went in front with a fine 42nd-minute goal on the break, Michael Branch picking out strike partner Akinbiyi with a perfectly-weighted pass that was side footed past Miller, the keeper getting a touch to the ball.

Wolves were unsuccessful in penalty appeals of their own when Neil Emblen's long-range shot seemed to strike the hand of Scott Jones.

But the home side increased their lead after 51 minutes, Akinbiyi turning to shoot through the legs of Miller at the far post after Branch had helped on a fine cross from Andy Sinton.

Branch hit the bar with a cross shortly afterwards while Barnsley retaliated by bringing fine saves from Oakes through Darren Barnard, Neil Shipperley and former Wolves midfielder Geoff Thomas.

Thomas was loudly jeered when he stabbed wide from a rebound following his miss.

The entertainment value more than justified referee Tony Bates' decision to allow the game to go on despite a pre-match downpour that left the pitch waterlogged in places.

Teams:

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Bazeley, Curle, Pollet, Muscat, Nielsen (Taylor 83), Emblen, Sedgley, Sinton (Osborn 90), Akinbiyi, Branch.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Green, Petterson.

Goals: Akinbiyi 43, 52.

Barnsley: Miller, Jones (Sheron 85), Chettle, Morgan, Curtis, Barnard (Van Der Laan 72), Tinkler, Thomas, Hignett, Shipperley, Hristov (Dyer 51).

Subs Not Used: Eaden, Barker.

Booked: Hristov.

Att: 21,251

Ref: T Bates (Stoke on Trent).