A superb brace from striker Steffen Iversen for rock-bottom Wolves earned them their third Premiership win and left troubled Leeds firmly in the relegation zone.
Iversen, who took his goal tally for the season to four, struck for the first time just three minutes into the second half.
Shaun Newton chipped an inch perfect cross into the heart of the Leeds defence where Iversen nodded the ball perfectly over the outstretched arm of visiting keeper Paul Robinson.
Then, in the dying seconds the Norwegian striker secured the vital points when he was perfectly positioned to smash the ball home after a shot from Henri Camara rebounded off the woodwork.
To cap a miserable afternoon for Leeds they had skipper Dominic Matteo sent off in the 76th minute, after picking up two yellow cards for blatant fouls on Paul Ince and Lee Naylor.
The Whites had the best possible start when, after just three minutes, they punished slack defensive play by Wolves.
Ian Harte fired his right wing corner into the middle where Michael Duberry was totally unmarked and made no mistake with his free header.
But it was one all in the 18th minute when Leeds striker Alan Smith managed to find the back of his own net as he tried to clear Camara's left-wing corner, slicing the ball in off the inside of the far post.
Wolves stay three points adrift at the foot of the Premiership table but this confidence-boosting victory that ended a run of eight games without a win and will lift spirits for next weekend's FA Cup outing against Kidderminster Harriers.