Carl Cort and Kenny Miller each scored a brace as Wolves cruised to an easy win over Crewe that ends a sequence of five straight draws and keeps their slim play-off hopes alive.

Glenn Hoddle's future as Wolves manager was called into question this week but this convincing victory will surely dampen speculation about his position.

Cort had got his side off to the worst possible start when his handball led to Kenny Lunt's penalty giving the home side the lead in the 11th minute but the striker redeemed himself two minutes later with an equaliser.

Miller put Wolves ahead from the spot after Neil Sorvel was penalised for a challenge on Paul Ince before Cort took his tally to 13 for the season in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a comfortable lead at the interval.

Miller scored a fourth in the 59th minute to add further gloss and the visitors walked through the remaining time to earn a first win in seven attempts.

Despite a positive opening from both sides, there were few early chances although Crewe's former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Williams, who replaced the injured Clayton Ince and made his first start since October, was given a routine save from Seyi George Olofinjana's long distance shot.

However, Crewe, who have not won since New Year's Day, were handed the advantage in the 11th minute. Lunt's corner was caught by the wind and when Adie Moses floated it back into the box, Cort needlessly handled the bouncing ball.

Lunt sent Michael Oakes the wrong way to give Dario Gradi's side a lead they would not enjoy for long.

Cort quickly made amends with a well-worked equaliser created by Ki-Hyeon Seol. The South Korean international left Crewe right-back Darren Moss, who joined from League Two side Shrewsbury for £170,000 this week, for dead and crossed to give Cort an easy tap-in at the near post.

Miller had already missed with a glancing header but made no mistake from the spot 10 minutes before the interval. Ince broke into the area and his run was only halted by Sorvel's tackle, although the former England international could stand accused of looking for the spot-kick.

Miller also sent Williams the wrong way and Cort extended the lead to two goals with a close-range finish from Lee Naylor's cross in first-half added time.

Gradi brought Michael Higdon on for Andy White at the break and the Alex briefly threatened. The ever-willing David Vaughan slid a pass through for Steve Jones, whose strike was saved by Oakes, who then did well to gather Mark Rivers' effort.

At the other end, Cort went close to a hat-trick but Williams showed good agility to keep out the former Newcastle's man's header.

On the hour, Miller made it four, with his 16th of the season, after a spell of Wolves pressure, that saw Mark Kennedy and Seol keep the ball under no pressure before the striker was given a simple finish from the South Korean's pass.

Wolves strolled through the final hour and Seol missed the chance to make it five with a poor header but they were never in trouble and were well worth Hoddle's third league win since taking charge in December.

Crewe Williams, Moss (Murdock 88), Moses, McCready, Tonkin, Lunt, Sorvel, Vaughan, Steve Jones, Rivers (Platt 76), White (Higdon 45).

Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Gary Roberts.

Goals: Lunt 11 pen.

Wolverhampton Oakes, Kennedy, Lescott, Craddock, Naylor, Olofinjana, Ince, Andrews, Seol (Clarke 84), Miller (Cooper 73), Cort.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Bjorklund, Cameron.

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Cort 13, Miller 35 pen, Cort 45, Miller 60.

Att: 8,212

Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).