Alex Rae's seventh goal of the season and a header from Nathan Blake sent league leaders Wolves eight points clear at the top of Division One.

Dave Jones' side took full advantage of Manchester City's inactivity as two first-half goals kept their title ambitions firmly on track.

The game started scrappily, and the Molineux crowd had to wait until the 12th minute for the first attempt on goal.

Rae's free-kick from the right was met on the volley by Paul Butler but the defender failed to trouble Vince Bartram as his effort flew wide.

Wolves were beginning to find their feet, and 17-goal striker Dean Sturridge came close to adding to his tally, only for the keeper to parry his shot away from danger.

Wanderers, who went into the game having won their last six games and scoring 18 goals in the process, were piling on the pressure, and Shaun Newton was next to test Bartram after 22 minutes.

A cross from Mark Kennedy was volleyed from the centre of the penalty area by the former Charlton midfielder, but again the Gills stopper was alert to palm the ball clear.

The opening goal seemed inevitable, and it arrived just four minutes later.

Kennedy had a fierce drive blocked by Bartram but the ball came out to Rae and he smashed home a volley from six yards.

Gillingham responded instantly, managing their first effort on goal with a strong header from Chris Hope which was saved by Michael Oakes.

Paul Shaw, whose stunning strike knocked Wolves out of the FA Cup earlier this year, drilled a shot just wide of the left-hand post as the visitors threatened to get back into the game before the half-time whistle.

Any hopes they had were soon dashed, however, as Blake bagged his 10th goal of the season in time added on.

Rae turned provider as he crossed for the striker to power home a header from close in.

The Gills came out fighting after the break, as a well-rehearsed corner routine almost brought a goal.

Player-boss Andy Hessenthaler played the ball short to former Wolves midfielder Simon Osborn and he curled a stunning shot which Oakes scrambled to push away for another corner.

Hessenthaler picked out Marcus Browning, but his shot flew wide.

Gillingham were looking dangerous and came agonisingly close to a goal in the 54th minute when Shaw's drilled strike came back off the woodwork.

Wolves had weathered the storm and were soon back attacking. Rae's cross found the head of Sturridge but he failed to hit the target, and minutes later Kennedy's cross had a similar outcome as the diminutive forward blazed over.

Blake tried his luck with a stunning 30-yard strike at the death but Bartram was equal to his effort.

Teams:

Wolverhampton Oakes, Muscat, Lescott, Butler, Camara, Newton (Miller 79), Andrews, Rae, Kennedy (Ndah 79), Blake, Sturridge.

Subs Not Used: Cameron, Pollet, Murray.

Goals: Rae 26, Blake 45.

Gillingham Bartram, Nosworthy, Ashby, Hope, Edge, Browning (Ipoua 56), Smith, Hessenthaler (Saunders 78), Osborn (Gooden 78), King, Shaw.

Subs Not Used: Butters, Perpetuini.

Booked: Hope, Ashby.

Att: 25,908

Ref: A Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield).