Wolves picked up a vital three points with a 3-1 win at Sunderland to boost their Premier League survival chances.
Boudewijn Zenden hit the post from 25 yards for the home side before Jody Craddock volleyed Wolves ahead from 10 yards against his former club.
Stephane Sessegnon levelled before half-time, acrobatically volleying in Zenden's corner from four yards.
But Steven Fletcher nodded Wolves back in front after the break and George Elokobi's bullet header made it safe.
The win was Mick McCarthy's first at the Stadium of Light as a Premier League manager.
The Wolves boss spent three years as Sunderland manager from March 2003 but he failed to record a home win in the Premier League, drawing four and losing 15 of his 19 games in charge.
But that unwanted record was consigned to the history books as McCarthy's side ensured they will go into the last day of the season with their fate in their own hands.
Sunderland, who were missing 10 first-team players, started the game with more gusto; Zenden crashing an effort on to the right-hand post, while Sessegnon stinged Hennessey's palms with a sharp 25-yard volley and Phil Bardsley dragged a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.
But, somewhat against the run of play, Craddock fired the visitors ahead, volleying a low effort beyond Simon Mignolet after Sunderland twice failed to clear attempted crosses from Stephen Hunt.
Boosted by their reward, Wolves continued to push forward and Jamie O'Hara came within a whisker of doubling the lead, smashing a 25-yard effort on to the bar.
However, Wolves porous defence opened up again to gift Sunderland a foothold in the game - Sessegnon sweeping in a Zenden corner that was inexplicably allowed to bounce in the six-yard box.
Wolves went in to the break aggrieved that referee Mike Jones waved away a penalty appeal after the ball clearly struck John Mensah's hand from Stephen Ward's cross.
They almost fell behind moments after the interval but Hennessey tipped Steed Malbranque's deflected 20-yard effort over the bar to keep the scores level - and moments later Wolves were in front.
Matt Jarvis, on as a second-half substitute for Adlene Guedioura, set off down the right wing and delivered a hanging cross to the back post that Fletcher gleefully headed home for his fifth goal in as many matches.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce brought on two of the five youngsters he had named on the bench, Ryan Noble and Craig Lynch, while Kevin Doyle made his long-awaited return for Wolves after two months out with knee ligament damage.
None of the trio had much of a chance to make an impact on the game before Elokobi ensured Wolves would win back-to-back games for the first time this season with a powerful header from O'Hara's inswinging free-kick.
Sessegnon tested Hennessey at his near post late on, but by then many of the Sunderland fans had already headed for the exit gates, perhaps hopeful of getting home in time to see the start of the FA Cup final.
Boudewijn Zenden hit the post from 25 yards for the home side before Jody Craddock volleyed Wolves ahead from 10 yards against his former club.
Stephane Sessegnon levelled before half-time, acrobatically volleying in Zenden's corner from four yards.
But Steven Fletcher nodded Wolves back in front after the break and George Elokobi's bullet header made it safe.
The win was Mick McCarthy's first at the Stadium of Light as a Premier League manager.
The Wolves boss spent three years as Sunderland manager from March 2003 but he failed to record a home win in the Premier League, drawing four and losing 15 of his 19 games in charge.
But that unwanted record was consigned to the history books as McCarthy's side ensured they will go into the last day of the season with their fate in their own hands.
Sunderland, who were missing 10 first-team players, started the game with more gusto; Zenden crashing an effort on to the right-hand post, while Sessegnon stinged Hennessey's palms with a sharp 25-yard volley and Phil Bardsley dragged a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.
But, somewhat against the run of play, Craddock fired the visitors ahead, volleying a low effort beyond Simon Mignolet after Sunderland twice failed to clear attempted crosses from Stephen Hunt.
Boosted by their reward, Wolves continued to push forward and Jamie O'Hara came within a whisker of doubling the lead, smashing a 25-yard effort on to the bar.
However, Wolves porous defence opened up again to gift Sunderland a foothold in the game - Sessegnon sweeping in a Zenden corner that was inexplicably allowed to bounce in the six-yard box.
Wolves went in to the break aggrieved that referee Mike Jones waved away a penalty appeal after the ball clearly struck John Mensah's hand from Stephen Ward's cross.
They almost fell behind moments after the interval but Hennessey tipped Steed Malbranque's deflected 20-yard effort over the bar to keep the scores level - and moments later Wolves were in front.
Matt Jarvis, on as a second-half substitute for Adlene Guedioura, set off down the right wing and delivered a hanging cross to the back post that Fletcher gleefully headed home for his fifth goal in as many matches.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce brought on two of the five youngsters he had named on the bench, Ryan Noble and Craig Lynch, while Kevin Doyle made his long-awaited return for Wolves after two months out with knee ligament damage.
None of the trio had much of a chance to make an impact on the game before Elokobi ensured Wolves would win back-to-back games for the first time this season with a powerful header from O'Hara's inswinging free-kick.
Sessegnon tested Hennessey at his near post late on, but by then many of the Sunderland fans had already headed for the exit gates, perhaps hopeful of getting home in time to see the start of the FA Cup final.
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