Seven games played and even the optimists must be pleasantly surprised by our points total and lofty league position. Therefore, those of us who even consider a glass being half empty as wildly optimistic - about to be kicked over is my usual view - are floating on a cloud that sits so high above cloud nine that even Level Seven season ticket holders would get vertigo.

In this fabulous run of four wins and three draws in the league, we've ascended to some pretty towering heights - the win at the mackems, halting Blackburn's run of St. James' victories and now this; our first top flight win at Molineux since 1958. Another horrible run of results ended.

But even more rewarding was the manner in which this match was won. With 87 minutes played, things seemed to be drifting aimlessly to an inevitable conclusion, with only the prospect of more misplaced crosses from the home side sailing harmlessly over Tim Krul's crossbar.

We'd already enjoyed being on the right end of one crucial decision that had been a bonus when a dead-cert penalty (you won't catch me using the nonsensical "stonewall") wasn't given, so our victory was already icing-coated. We didn't really need or want the cherry.

But then Wolves went and soiled our clean sheet with a goal that surprised everyone who hadn't exited in disgust - and there were more than a few. Two minutes left on the clock, plus perhaps three added minutes - surely Fletcher's header had to be too little, too late?

It doesn't matter how many games you watch, the agony of the final few minutes, leading by a solitary goal never lessens. Stomachs genuinely churn, hearts do miss several beats and the cold sweats today defied the searing, unseasonal temperatures.

I've never seen a film that can do this or experienced anything else that has the nerves jangling so wildly - stage fright is something I've only ever read about. But those last few minutes of a football match delicately balanced are just the stuff of nightmares - and worse than the hope of completing some sort of comeback with a leveller or a winner.

Why? Because we've all seen comfortable 2-0 victories wrenched away by out-of-the-blue headers and mad last second scrambles that somehow find the net after hitting 'keeper's backsides or posts, unfolding in excruciating slow motion. But that wasn't going to happen today, surely? And then the fourth official held up the board indicating five added minutes....

Krul may have taken five extra seconds on half a dozen goal kicks (and was booked for doing so) but someone needs to point out to him that some whistlers will routinely add two or three extra minutes for time-wasting. It's the same with substitutions in added time - they are a sure-fire way of extending the game, not a way of eating up extra seconds.

And then it happened. The nightmare of all nightmares, as a hopeful cross to the back post was nodded back and a scramble ended with the home areas erupting and gesturing towards the away corner. My reflex action was to look straight over to the linesman who seemed to be flagging and instantaneously Halsey did the same.

From the depths of despair to total elation in a second or two - what else in life can do that? Very little I'd suggest and that emotional parabola is what keeps us coming back, week after week.

Very few of the home fans had checked the linesman before celebrating and gesticulating at us and for a full 30 seconds it was hilarious to see them all slinking back down in their chairs as their parabolas were upturned. The Newcastle fans rubbed it in further by dancing to their own version of "Tom Hark" which had blasted over the tannoy when Fletcher had scored minutes earlier.

With Halsey penalising Krul even further by stretching the five minutes to six there was still time for Wolves to force a corner but as soon as that was headed clear the final whistle was blown and the victory was ours, with relief evident one the faces of our celebrating (and knackered) heroes.

To hear Mick McCarthy bemoaning the crucial decisions later and to see the TV pictures confirm that we'd been lucky just made it all the sweeter. Our cake had been iced, garnished with cherries and we'd eaten every last morsel. Delicious. Space doesn't permit us to mention the long list of miscarriages inflicted on us, but let's just say today was a little payback for previous punishments.

On a more level headed note, it was good to see Demba Ba continue where he'd left off against Blackburn, nice to see Gutierrez celebrate signing an extended deal with his first of the season.... and easy to get sucked in by post-match hype that we were gifted this win by the officials.

Regardless of the alleged/actual indiscretions of the official though, these three points were well deserved and the margin of victory could easily have been greater but for some poor finishing after slicing through the home defence after a series of counter-attacks. 

United dominated most of the game and it was only in the last 15 minutes when Wolves threatened to steal what would have been a fortunate point as our lot began to wilt in the heat, and Alan Pardew was faced with a dilemma over who to replace, with Ba, Cabaye and Obertan all struggling.

Quite what he thought Peter Lovenkrands would bring to the party remains a mystery however, with the pace of Sam Ameobi or Marveaux surely more likely to occupy Wolves and keep them away from our area. 

Man of the match was undoubtedly Tim Krul who pulled off some magnificent saves, ably assisted by Taylors Ryan and Steven who put in some staggering blocks. First denying Jamie O'Hara when the former Spurs man's free-kick looked to be curling inside his far post, Krul then blocked Kevin Doyle with his head, despite being inside his area.

Jonas went close with a right-footed effort and then from Yohan Cabaye's corner, Ba had a simple near post header to put us ahead - his fourth goal in two games prompting the away section to remind those present that his form since Ramadan has been remarkable. He and we just can't get enough....

A good half then got even better when Sunday League clogger Karl "Kelvin" Henry gifted possession to Gutierrez and Spiderman coolly strode into the area before dispatching the ball past Hennessey to send the travelling Mags (thankfully in the shade) bonkers once more. 

The lead could have been halved before half time after Steven Taylor's rash and needless challenge on O'Hara in front of the away fans. And although Halsey gave Wolves a free-kick, the contact was clearly inside the area - had the Wolves man fallen in there, he could have been rewarded....

Halsey then waved away another appeal minutes later when Matt Jarvis dived over a wayward challenge from Danny Simpson. The dive infuriated the Magpies full back, but in truth Jarvis could have been cleverer in making more of the lunge.

The home side were being barracked by their own supporters before and after the break and Henry was jeered as he left the pitch, substituted in the 58th minute. It then should have been game over when Ba was set up on the left of the area but he curled his shot narrowly wide with Hennessey motionless as he watched it skim wide of his upright.

That miss seemed to change the game and United dropped deeper and deeper as the misfiring Obertan gave away the ball. Krul made a breathtaking double save as Mick McCarthy's side battled to get back into the game and finally Steven Fletcher converted a cross with two minutes of normal time remaining, to set up a frantic finish which we thankfully survived.

It's always a bonus to leave this place unscathed but to finally grab three top flight points in the manner that we did was truly memorable. I'd been here to see Kevin Scott head us the winner in April 1990 as we attempted to get out of Division Two but I'm sure I'll remember more about this October 2011 victory in 20 years time. Hopefully it won't be that long before we win here again....

We now head for an international break in something approaching rude health, with everything the manager does working out for him and even the owner apparently in better fettle (which may or may not have something to do with tabloid claims of a reconciliation with the former Mrs Ashley).

Alan Pardew was quick to quote that 1990 stat, but may have not been aware of the ghosts laid to rest by our winning while wearing white shorts. And observers who claim that he's more circumspect and less bombastic than earlier in his managerial career look to have a point; certainly there was a lack of piety and smugness in these post-match comments. 

News of a team day out paint-balling and a tuck-in to Stowell Street meanwhile lends credence to the theory that the present group are getting on quite nicely thank you very much - and perhaps now able to get a word in edgeways, now that certain big hitters have moved on.

The worry of a French-speaking clique was also addressed via a recent newspaper piece, with claims of fines for not speaking English in training and news that a trio of French players and their other halves had enrolled for language lessons at Newcastle University. 

Given the alleged misery of some imported players on Tyneside in previous times (Domi and Pistone etc.) that's reassuring, especially in the context of the ongoing farce of Carlos "mind your language" Tevez. And although messrs Cabaye and Tiote have admitted that their on-field partnership was blossoming due to conversing in French, presumably they won't be fined....vive la difference?

Niall Mackenzie/Biffa