Just when they were being doubted, Wolves found the right response.

After the panic that followed the defeat at Reading, it was relief all round at Molineux on Saturday.

Thankfully for Wolves, all the fuss, anxiety, scapegoat searching and criticism that seemed to rain down from that midweek setback seems confined to the supporters.

Those convinced after Tuesday night that Wolves had blown it and were as good as kicked out of the promotion race might care to glance at the Championship table now.

Wolves are still top and still four points clear of second-placed Reading and six clear of the play-off positions with now just a third of the season remaining.

Thankfully, the angst that seems so close to the surface of so many of the long-suffering Molineux fans hasn’t spread to the dressing room. While Mick McCarthy remains at the helm, that scenario is likely to remain.

Because while all around them chaos reigns, the manager retains a relative cool, calm exterior that permeates through to his players.

McCarthy may have found it difficult at times not to blow a fuse amid the growing storm of negativity that provided an unsettling backdrop to his team’s winless run.

But he knows if he follows the tide of boom-bust gloom and glee merchants threatening to undermine his team’s promotion charge, he risks upsetting the spirit of this tightly-bound team.

So he will have allowed himself a smile along with his bottle of Budweiser on Saturday night, safe in the knowledge that his side aren’t an outfit which looks like buckling any time soon.

That’s not to say the players are immune to the feelings of their public. This was described as a “win at all costs” game by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the build-up. If the sentiment was strong, you knew what he meant.

While still top, Wolves’ lead had been cut from seven to two points and, despite performances better than results suggested, they needed a win to restore confidence in themselves and the fans – no matter how it came.

Victory rarely looked in danger once that man Ebanks-Blake swept them into the lead with his 17th of the season and 50th career League strike midway through the first-half – apart from an edgy spell up to half-time that was, perhaps, rooted in a disallowed Watford reply within a minute of the opener.

The normally reliable Wayne Hennessey somehow dropped a routine low cross from Tommy Smith and in the scramble that followed, Will Hoskins prodded into the net, only for inconsistent referee Nigel Miller to pull up play and award Wolves a free-kick when he may have signalled a goal.

They really shouldn’t have found themselves in trouble at all, but Andy Keogh and Richard Stearman – how long has he got to wait to score? – were denied set-piece goals by Lloyd Doyley and keeper Scott Loach.

Unfortunately for the home side, they were unable to convert that head of steam into more goals and instead found themselves forced on to the back foot, more by their own nerves than any quality from Watford.

This time, Hennessey came to the rescue when he denied Hoskins diving to his right, then far more spectacularly, Jack Cork’s volley which he somehow clawed around the post as it headed towards the top corner.

Panic over, the second half was one of more energy between the penalty boxes rather than goalmouth incident.

When Keogh made it 2-0 with a classy volleyed finish from Michael Kightly cross – after more tenacious work from Ebanks-Blake – it seemed like game over.

But Wolves being Wolves, things are never that easy and when defender Adrian Mariappa bundled home from almost on the line, the final nine minutes threatened to be gripped by anxiety.

Thankfully for Wolves, substitute Sam Vokes had other ideas as his fine header from fellow sub Matt Jarvis’ cross restored their two-goal cushion. Saturday’s welcome return to winning ways was also one of some equally welcome firsts.

Wolves’ first win in six league games made it their first double of the season, while it was the first time the two starting strikers – Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh – had scored since the 3-1 away to Sheffield United.

It was also the first time Wolves had scored three goals in eight league games going back to the win over Derby on December 9. Staying with the fixture list, maybe there’s a chance for Wolves to use it to their advantage.

While Reading haven’t got a midweek game and Birmingham make the not-so-easy trek to Crystal Palace, Wolves host struggling Norwich. Saturday is just as good a time for Wolves to stretch their advantage, with several of their rival promotion challengers playing each other.

Wolves then make the short trip down the M6 to Coventry, Reading entertain Preston and Blues host Burnley, while there is a potential leveller of a high noon Steel City derby for Sheffield United.

If Saturday’s performance is anything to go by, the depth of Wolves’ own spirit and belief means they are ready for whatever tests come their way.

By Tim Nash