Wolves opened a six-point gap in sixth place with victory in an embarrassingly one sided clash at Molineux.

Colin Lee's side, who are now hot favourites to secure the final play-off spot, were in control virtually throughout.

But they were helped both by a desperate display from relegation threatened Crewe and by the 13th minute sending off of visiting central defender Chris Lightfoot.

Lightfoot was harshly booked in the 10th minute for a challenge on David Connolly and then foolishly overstepped the mark with a late tackle on the same player that brought the inevitable punishment.

Within a minute, Wolves had made their extra man advantage pay as Carl Robinson squeezed a low left foot shot under the body of keeper Jason Kearton after a centre by Kevin Muscat had bounced kindly off Dave Walton.

Robinson missed a chance of making it two before Norwegian international Havard Flo did just that.

He turned home right footed at the near post after Robinson's fine pass sent Muscat away to centre from the right in the 25th minute.

It was all too easy for Wolves and dreadful marking from a Muscat throw-in provided Steve Corica with a clear opening which he blazed yards off target.

Osborn was busy in Wolves' midfield and was just crowded out by Kearton following a 1-2 with Robinson, then Michael Gilkes hammered just off target with the last effort of the half.

Crewe did improve marginally in the first third of the second half without ever mustering a shot or header on target.

Osborn was booked for a tackle from behind on Rodney Jack and Corica ended a fine run past three players with a shot that was blocked by Walton.

Connolly deserved a goal for his efforts in place of the Nigeria-bound Robbie Keane but he saw a tremendous curling 25-yarder brilliantly pushed away by Kearton, who then brought him down just as he was about to apply the finishing touch to a 79th minute flick-on from Flo.

The keeper was booked for the challenge and then beaten by Muscat's penalty that clinched Wolves' second successive 3-0 home win.

It was also the second time in five days Crewe had lost by that margin on their travels and they might well have suffered further damage as Flo and substitute Lee Naylor sent efforts flashing inches past the angle.

Crewe finally managed a worthwhile attempt four minutes from time as skipper Shaun Smith hammered fiercely wide from 30-yards.

Wolverhampton: Stowell, Muscat, Gilkes (Naylor 74), Sedgley, Richards, Robinson, Corica (Niestroj 78), Emblen, Flo (Simpson 83), Connolly, Osborn.

Booked: Osborn.

Goals: Robinson 14, Flo 25, Muscat 78 pen.

Crewe: Kearton, Wright, Smith, Lightfoot, Walton (Unsworth 78), Charnock (Macauley 71), Rivers, Johnson, Jack, Murphy, Newell (Street 74).

Sent Off: Lightfoot (13).

Booked: Kearton, Lightfoot, Murphy.

Att: 24,197

Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).