Dandy Town went three points clear at the top of the Coca Cola First Division with this win at St John's Field last night -- but only after seeing off a spirited Wolves fightback in the second half.

Goals from Kris Martin and Dano Outerbridge had put Town into a seemingly unassailable lead -- no more than they deserved after creating a host of chances before the break -- but when Anthony Thomas powered in a 60th minute header to reduce the arrears it was Town who found themselves on the back foot.

Substitute Jared Peniston in particular was a menace on the right wing, regularly getting clear of his last man and sending in telling crosses that Jason Smith struggled to deal with.

But in truth, Town would have long put paid to any hopes of a Wolves comeback had not Hewvonnie Brown been in sparkling form between the posts.

First, after 18 minutes, he leapt to tip Dano Outerbridge's fierce volley over the top. Then, from the resulting corner, he displayed equal athleticism to turn over Outerbridge's powerful header. Two minutes later he was called on again, producing perhaps his best save of the night to deny Darron Simons who let fly with a superb left foot effort. And in the 25th minute he moved swiftly to block Kris Martin's shot from close range after good approach work involving Devarr Boyles and Paul Cann.

Wolves were restricted to efforts on the break and Ellington Weldon might have done better after a long ball into the box had been headed into his path. And moments after Brown had denied Martin, a corner at the other end caused havoc in the Town box but Dion Waingwright's awkward bouncing shot was hacked clear by a posse of defenders.

Town finally took the lead six minutes before the break, Kris Martin picking up the ball just outside the Wolves box, riding a half-hearted challenge and firing a shot into the right hand corner that even Brown had no answer to.

The league leaders went further ahead in the 55th minute, Outerbridge finally getting some reward for his attacking endeavours, heading powerfully past Brown and a defender whose failed attempt to handle on the line went unpunished by referee George O'Brien.

But within five minutes Wolves, seemingly down and out, were back in the game as Thomas rose superbly at the far post to meet a corner with a bullet of a header which Smith could barely have seen.