Winger Jonas Gutierrez provided a final flourish as Newcastle gave themselves breathing space in the fight for Barclays Premier League survival with a precious victory over Wolves.

The visitors left themselves with a mountain to climb after Kevin Nolan, Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands put the Magpies 3-0 ahead with just 50 minutes gone.

They eventually staged a fightback as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake reduced the deficit with 58 minutes gone and then saw a 72nd-minute header cleared off the line.

But Argentina international Gutierrez made sure with a superb solo effort in injury time to the delight of a crowd of 49,939 to take the Magpies' points tally to 39 and leave them within touching distance of safety.

It was just the Magpies' second win in 10 league games and brought an end to Wolves four-match unbeaten run.

Newcastle, still coming to terms with Andy Carroll's departure for Liverpool and without key men Cheick Tiote and Leon Best, created more than enough chances to win the game in the first half alone.

Karl Henry had spent much of the reverse fixture at Molineux in August reminding Joey Barton of his presence, and his team-mates took up the theme today.

George Elokobi and Nenad Milijas were booked for early fouls on the midfielder and on both occasions the home side almost scored from the resulting free-kicks.

First Barton floated a fifth-minute ball into the box for defender Mike Williamson to send in a diving header which goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had to palm around the post, and he then presented Nolan with a 16th-minute chance, but he directed his effort straight at Hennessey.

When the opening goal did arrive, it came straight down route one as Ameobi climbed well to flick-on Danny Simpson's long ball into the path of Nolan, who stabbed past Hennessey.

Wolves, who were busy in midfield but lacked any real creativity, were fitful in their response and it was not until Ebanks-Blake met Jamie O'Hara's 44th-minute free-kick in front of goal that Steve Harper was called upon to make a save.

But Newcastle's response was emphatic and they doubled their lead in the final minute of the half when Ameobi climbed to power a header home from Lovenkrands' cross.

The only disappointment for Newcastle was the 44th-minute booking - his 10th of the season - collected by Nolan for a trip on winger Adam Hammill which will cost him a two-game ban.