Cardiff missed two stoppage-time penalties as Wolves held on for a 1-0 win that took them a step closer to the Premier League on Friday night.
A stunning Ruben Neves free-kick was enough for Nuno's side to secure all three points at the Cardiff City Stadium, but the Bluebirds had two glorious opportunities to nick a point at the death from the penalty spot.
First it was Gary Madine, who saw his effort saved by John Ruddy in the fourth minute of added time, before Junior Hoilett rattled the crossbar with the last kick of the game.
It means Wolves move nine points clear of their nearest rivals in the Sky Bet Championship, and 14 points clear of Fulham ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.
It was an intriguing first half but there were relatively few chances at either end. Wolves had a great opportunity shortly after the break when Leo Bonatini got in behind the Cardiff defence after some dreadful positioning from Sol Bamba, but he was forced too wide after rounding the goalkeeper and eventually hit the post from a tight angle before the ball bounced clear.
After 67 minutes they did take the lead, however. Diogo Jota was fouled just outside the area and Neves stepped up to curl an absolute beauty into the top corner. Neil Etheridge got a hand to it but he couldn't keep it out.
All the real drama came in the final few minutes. First Mike Dean pointed to the spot after Conor Coady pushed Anthony Pilkington in the box, but Madine, who is yet to score for Cardiff since his January move - saw his attempt brilliantly kept out by Ruddy.
Cardiff came again and Ivan Cavaleiro lunged in wildly on Aron Gunnarsson just inside the box to give them a second chance to equalise, but this time it was Hoilett's turn to fluff his lines.
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison (capt.), Bamba, J. Bennett; Gunnarsson, Bryson, Paterson (Mendez-Laing, 51) ; Wildschut (Madine, 72), Hoilett, Zohore (Pilkington, 84).
Subs not used: Subs: Murphy, Manga, Traore, Damour.
Wolves: Ruddy; R. Bennett, Coady (capt.), Boly; Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas; Afobe (N'Diaye, 77), Bonatini (Costa, 58), D.Jota (Cavaleiro, 66).
Subs not used: Norris, Batth, Gibbs-White, Hause.
Yellow cards: Peltier, Morrison, Neves, Saiss, Costa
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 29,317