Australian international Kevin Muscat hit a sensational 88th minute winner to sink second-placed Ipswich and give Wolves their first win in six matches.

A largely disappointing clash seemed certain to finish goalless until Muscat grabbed the headlines again a fortnight after the bad publicity that came his way following his horror tackle on Craig Bellamy during the draw with Ipswich's East Anglian rivals Norwich.

This time it was a good news day for the player, who was returning after missing one game through suspension and a second through illness.

Playing at left-back instead of in his usual role on the right - a result of Wolves' acute selection problems - Muscat moved inside following a throw-in on the left to unleash a magnificent swerving 30-yarder that deceived England Under-21 keeper Richard Wright and flew over his head into the roof of the net.

It was a stunning strike and gave Wolves their first win since their appointment of Colin Lee as manager on a permanent basis a month ago.

Wolves had been lacklustre in a first half controlled by Ipswich, but went close several times in the second period as Town faded disappointingly.

The home side should have gone in front in the 69th minute when Mark Atkins somehow stabbed wide from three yards after Dean Richards and Neil Emblen had helped on Simon Osborn's corner.

Fernando Gomez went on a sub for the injured Osborn shortly afterwards and, after Robert Niestroj had seen a shot blocked near the line by former Wolves favourite Mark Venus, the Spanish No 13 struck the bar from the edge of the area.

Guy Whittingham then headed tamely at Wright from 10 yards before Ipswich almost broke through themselves in the 85th minute, only for Mike Stowell to save superbly when Samassi Abou released defender Manuel Thetis for a free shot well inside the area.

Earlier, a Wolves side robbed of Robbie Keane and fellow striker David Connolly through illness and injury respectively, had struggled to adapt to a new 4-4-2 formation.

Ipswich, already with 15 clean sheets in the league, had the better of a low-key first half and strikers David Johnson and Richard Naylor both went close.

Ipswich were hampered by the loss of midfield star Kieron Dyer with a thigh injury midway through the half - and the loss of points will not have pleased manager George Burley.

Teams:

Wolverhampton: Stowell, Atkins, Muscat, Richards, Sedgley (Gilkes 45), Curle, Niestroj (Corica 88), Robinson, Whittingham, Emblen, Osborn (Gomez 70).

Booked: Niestroj.

Goals: Muscat 88.

Ipswich: Wright, Kennedy (Logan 89), Thetis, Clapham, Mowbray, Venus, Dyer (Holster 25), Holland, Johnson, Naylor, Abou.

Subs Not Used: Bramble.

Att: 24,636

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).