Super-sub George Ndah made sure of Wolves' victory over visitors Grimsby with a goal within 60 seconds of coming on.

Wolves, who crashed to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Grimsby in the corresponding fixture last season, were leading 2-1 but struggling to make sure of the points.

Wolves must have had a sense of deja-vu when the Mariners went in front after just two minutes.

Midfielder Georges Santos crossed the ball from the right, and Steve Kabba hit a powerful left-footed shot from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Wolves' defence was up against it, and Paul Ince had to clear a dangerous-looking Alan Poulton corner before Alex Rae blocked a well-struck free-kick by Darren Barnard.

The hosts' first real chance came when Denis Irwin headed wide, and then Colin Cameron had a shot cleared by Paul Raven.

Irwin was proving a real thorn in Grimsby's side and, after Simon Ford was penalised for handball just outside the area on the half-hour, he equalised straight from the free-kick.

Sturridge strikes

An inswinging corner from Irwin proved dangerous, and Grimsby goalkeeper Danny Coyle had to be on his mettle to catch and clear.

Wolves almost got their noses in front just before the interval - but Rae's shot went just wide.

Rae was more accurate with another effort at the start of the second half. But Coyne made a comfortable save and was quickly in action again, saving from Nathan Blake.

Wolves' pressure finally told when Kenny Miller met an Ince cross and directed a low shot into the Grimsby net.

It looked like Wolves might have to settle for 2-1 until then Molineux boss Dave Jones sent on Ndah for Shaun Newton.

Within 60 seconds the Wolves substitute hammered home a cross by Colin Cameron to put his team 3-1 up and cruising to victory.

Wolves should have had another after a Grimsby handball, but Dean Sturridge blasted the spot-kick over the bar.

Sturridge made amends in the last minute when he met an Irwin free-kick and blasted the ball home from 35 yards.

Wolverhampton: Murray, Edworthy, Lescott, Clyde, Irwin, Ince, Rae, Cameron, Newton, Blake, Miller. Subs: Oakes, Ingimarsson, Butler, Sturridge, Ndah.

Grimsby: Coyne, Ward, Gallimore, Raven, Ford, Campbell, Santos, Pouton, Barnard, Livingstone, Kabba. Subs: Coldicott, Allaway, Mansaram, Robinson, Parker.

Referee: F Stretton (Nottinghamshire).