Wolves secured three points in fine form with goals from Keogh, Ebanks-Blake and Kightly.

Cardiff - perhaps with one eye on the FA Cup Final - played well during spells in the first half but could not penetrate a solid Wanderers defence.

Kightly made his first start since November but, for Cardiff, manager Dave Jones was absent suffering from a virus.

Kightly was soon making his presence tell. His cross was headed on by Foley and Keogh struck gold in the eighth minute to give his side the lead and boost the play-off hopes of the Molineux crowd.

Two minutes later, Whittingham tried a drive from the edge of the box but his effort was charged down by Craddock.

Olofinjana teed up a similar opportunity for Gibson that did not overly threaten the keeper, but it was the visitors that were taking the initiative.

Hasselbaink should have levelled things just before the half hour mark but his shot, after a head-on from Rae, was far too relaxed and Hennessey saved with his legs.

In a rare Wolves attack since their goal, Loovens made an excellent interception as Jarvis sought to cross for Ebanks-Blake who was unmarked in the area.

Wolves doubled their lead just before half time when Keogh headed down for Ebanks-Blake to stab beyond Enckelman.

Wolves 2 Cardiff 0

Wolves started the second half well and Gibson saw a long range effort got just over the bar.

Kightly delighted the home crowd by making it 3-0 in the 56^th minute. Ebanks-Blake fired a rasping shot that Enkelman saved but couldn't hold on to and the Molineux winger pounced to slot the ball home.

His work done, Kightly was then substituted for Stephen Ward.

Hasselbaink tried to reply for the Bluebirds with a shot on the turn but Hennessey made an excellent flying save.

Elliott replaced Jarvis on 76 minutes as the game slowed in pace.

Wolves enjoyed a few more sorties into the Cardiff area before Collins came on for Foley near the end.