Wolves 2 Preston 0 - match report and pictures

[gallery]Wolves returned to winning ways in convincing style with one of their best performances of the season to breathe new life into their promotion push.

Goals from the impressive Dave Edwards (28) and Lee Evans (55) were the high points of a richly-deserved first win in four games for Kenny Jackett's side against one of their main rivals in the chase for the Championship.

But it could and should have been more emphatic as Evans headed over, Michael Jacobs prodded over, Kevin McDonald had an effort saved, Edwards was twice denied in one-on-ones and Leigh Griffiths wasted two similar chances.

Head coach Jackett made three changes from the team that lost 1-0 at Gillingham eight days ago.

But the big news was that Aaron McCarey kept his place in goal ahead of Wayne Hennessey, who was on the bench after apologising for his refusal to play at Gillingham.

Richard Stearman, Lee Evans and Leigh Griffiths replaced George Elokobi, Bakary Sako and Kevin Doyle, who all dropped to the bench, where there was no place again for Bjorn Sigurdarson.

With rumours sweeping Molineux that Wigan Nouha Dicko was in the stands watching the game at the venue where he had a loan spell last season, Wolves controlled the first half and deservedly led.

Preston, backed by a sell-out allocation of 3,500 fans, had no answer to Wolves' extra man in midfield as the home side played a 4-2-3-1 formation against their more rigid 4-4-2.

Edwards was a huge influence, the visitors failing to pick him up time and time again as he made runs from deep.

Wolves created the first chance in the 10th minute when Lee Evans arrived late to send a header narrowly over the bar from Sam Ricketts's cross.

Edwards found himself clean through for the first time in the 21st minute when James Henry put him in the clear.

His shot beat keeper Declan Rudd but was hacked off the line by Jack King.

Preston had the ball in the net in the 23rd minute when Iain Hume stabbed home at the far post from Paul Gallagher's cross but the assistant's flag went up immediately and it was ruled out for offside.

Leigh Griffiths wasn't having his most productive outing and his frustrations got the better of him in the 26th minute when he was booked for a late challenge.

He was all smiles soon after though as Wolves took a deserved lead.

This time the impressive Kevin McDonald slide him in and he drew Rudd before calmly slotting home his third goal of the season.

As the players and fans celebrated, the referee had a long chat with Griffiths, who moments earlier had tried to con him to win a penalty by 'buying' a push from a defender and falling dramatically to the ground.

There was a scare for Wolves on the half hour when Joe Garner's chip from out wide hit the bar and bounced away with McCarey motionless.

But Wolves hit back and should have made it 2-0 on 37 when Michael Jacobs could only divert the ball over the bar after Rudd parried McDonald's fierce first-time drive.

Wolves went even closer a minute later when Rudd blocked after Evans put through Edwards again in a one-on-one.

And Griffiths wasted the chance to double their lead in the second minute of the two of time added on at the end of the half when he could only lob weakly at Rudd after Henry's chip put him clean through.

The same combination tried to provide a breakthrough after the restart on 49 but Griffiths could only slice right-footed into the South Bank after Henry allowed him to have the angled shot on the run.

There was a sense that Wolves needed a second goal to be sure of the points and they didn't have long to wait for it.

Evans tapped home from six yards out after Rudd could only parry Henry's angled blockbuster after he chose to shoot with Edwards unmarked to his left in the box.

It should have been 3-0 in the 58th minute when Henry again put Griffiths through but the Scotland international fired inches wide.

Wolves replaced Griffiths with Liam McAlinden as they sought fresh energy up front.

But despite a flurry from Preston which brought a couple of corners and a curling shot from Paul Gallagher that was pushed away by McCarey, they didn't really need it.