Michael Kightly's 76th-minute strike was worth its weight in gold for Wolves as the Coca-Cola Championship leaders turned one point into three and deepened Nottingham Forest's relegation worries in the process.

The England under-21 winger drilled home from 10 yards to clinch an uneventful clash, devout in any real quality, that looked to be heading towards a goalless stalemate.

Neither side had managed a serious shot on target during the previous three quarters of a poor encounter but that will not matter one bit to the visitors, who will consider points more important than performances as the promotion race enters the final straight.

The Black Country outfit were further boosted by Birmingham's inability to beat relegation-threatened Norwich, meaning they hold a five-point lead at the summit going into the international break - and the crucial clash at St Andrew's on April 6.

Forest, however, will be more than concerned with their precarious position at the wrong end of the table with just six matches remaining.

Boss Billy Davies made five changes to the Forest side humiliated 5-0 at Burnley last weekend, most notably handing goalkeeper Iain Turner a debut after his loan move from Everton.

Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, brought back Karl Henry to the centre of his midfield in place of Dave Edwards.

A 5,300 strong Wolves following were in good voice from the off but there was nothing on the pitch during the opening 15 minutes to keep them entertained.

The visitors wasted a good chance to take the lead in the 18th minute courtesy of the first glimpse of creativity in the encounter.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake cleverly flicked a ball into the path of the onrushing Kightly but he took far too long trying to work an angle on the edge of the penalty area and was eventually dispossessed.

Ebanks-Blake fired over not long after but both defences were well and truly on top during the opening quarter.

And neither keeper was called upon to make a real save of note after that as the first half was brought to a tame close.

Forest started the second half on the front foot but it did not last long.

McCarthy introduced Andy Keogh in place of Stephen Ward in the 54th minute in an attempt to bring more of an attacking threat out of his side.

But the start of the second half failed to deliver in much the same way as the opening 45 minutes.

On-loan Birmingham winger Gary McSheffrey fired over from the edge of the penalty area in the 65th minute. Both benches could sense one goal would settle the clash and that forced Davies to bring on Nathan Tyson and Garath McCleary, while McCarthy turned to Sam Vokes and Edwards.

And the latter double substitution worked wonders.

Ebanks-Blake picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and drove down the right side of the penalty area before squaring the ball across the six-yard line to Vokes.

He kept his marker at bay before laying the ball off to Kightly who fired a low drive past the despairing Turner and into the corner to send the visiting fans and the away bench into raptures.

Ebanks-Blake then saw his effort cleared off the line by Joel Lynch while Keogh's speculative 45-yard effort flew over the bar.

But it did not matter as McCarthy greeted the final whistle with a pumped fist to the air.

Teams

Nottm Forest Turner, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Lynch,McSheffrey (Tyson 66), McGugan (Garner 78), Perch, Cohen,Anderson (McCleary 66), Earnshaw.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Chambers.

Booked: Gunter, Anderson, Lynch.

Wolverhampton Hennessey, Foley, Craddock, Berra, Hill,Kightly, Henry, Jones (Edwards 72), Stephen Ward (Keogh 54),Iwelumo (Vokes 73), Ebanks-Blake.

Subs Not Used: Higgs, Stearman.

Booked: Berra, Kightly.

Goals: Kightly 76.

Att: 24,510

Ref: Phil Crossley (Kent).