Wolverhampton Wanderers have given their survival hopes a massive boost tonight by beating second-placed Hull City by a single goal at Molineux.

Stephen Quinn went closest for the visitors just before the break as his deflected effort sailed inches past the far post.

Manager Steve Bruce was forced to shuffle his pack early on when experienced midfielder Robert Koren went down injured.

Jay Simpson came on for the Tigers and immediately forced a corner kick after sloppy defensive play from Wolves.

The hosts had efforts on goal through Stephen Hunt and Tongo Doumbia, but neither shot troubled Hull goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Doubmia tried his luck again from distance before the interval, but his attempt went wide as both sides were frustrated in the first period.

Wolves continued to defend deep and look to counter in the second half and took the lead against the run of play on 55 minutes.

Bjorn Sigurdarson broke down the wing and played in Kevin Doyle, who produced a composed finish to beat Stockdale from close range.

Hull piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but the home side stayed compact to keep their narrow advantage.

Doyle then broke with purpose for Wolves and found Doumbia, but his quick strike was dragged well wide of the target.

Bruce threw on Matt Fryatt in search of an equaliser but their probing approach play lacked a final pass.

Simpson rattled the post late on but Wolves held on in a frantic finale to earn the precious three points.