Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Bakary Sako's penalty was his 12th goal of the season

Wolves kept up their promotion hopes as some clinical finishing saw off a wasteful Sheffield Wednesday side.

Kenny Jackett's team have lost just once in their last seven games and are three points off the play-off spots with eight games left.

Bakary Sako opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Benik Afobe doubled the lead with a volley off the post after the break.

Substitute James Henry wrapped up the win with a curler from 20 yards.

But it could have been a different story had Stuart Gray's Owls - who had 20 shots during the game and had more possession - found the target when on top.

Atdhe Nuhiu and Tom Lees headed wide for Wednesday, and Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak also saved well from Jacques Maghoma.

The hosts went ahead when Nouha Dicko was tripped by Claude Dielna and Sako scored from the spot.

After the break Afobe doubled the lead with his 27th goal of the season, crashing in a fine cross from Matt Doherty.

It was three when Henry cut inside to curl into the top corner, but Wolves' night ended on a sour note when defender Richard Stearman went down injured and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett:

"It's a crucial win. We need a great run and if we can find our form then we have an opportunity, it sets up Friday against Derby as a great game.

"We'll look forward to it and it's an opportunity for us against one of the sides above us to pull them back a bit more.

"The gap to Derby in fifth is five points and it's the sort of night you're in the game for and we're looking quickly towards Friday."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:

"I'm disappointed the penalty was given because it was a good tackle.

"I've seen it back, we've lost possession, Wolves have broken and the boy Dielna has put a fair tackle in. I don't think he (Dicko) has dived but his momentum took him over his leg.

"What has helped is 5,000 Wolves fans appealing for the penalty, I'm disappointed but I can't blame the referee for the next two goals."