Wolves top the Championship after a brace from Michael Kightly gave McCarthy's side a 2-0 win over fifth placed Burnley. Their lead at the top is six points after Birmingham were held 1-1 at Nottingham Forest.
Reading beat Derby 3-0 to stay in third with fourth placed Sheffield United winning 2-1 at Barnsley. Cardiff are sixth despite a 1-0 defeat at QPR who move up to seventh.
Doncaster who lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday remain bottom with nine points, two less than Nottingham Forest. Watford, who got rid of Adrian Boothroyd by mutual consent in the week, have dropped into the bottom three but travel to Swansea tomorrow.
Ipswich and Bristol City were the other winners in the division with the rest of the games ending in draws.
In the Premier League, former Sky Blue Robbie Keane scored twice for Liverpool against West Brom.
It was FA Cup First Round day and there was good news for City in that Sutton United are out of the competition beaten 1-0 at home by Notts County.
Neither Kevin Thornton or Kevin Kyle were allowed to play in the tie between Brighton and Hartlepool. Colin Hawkins did and scored a 52nd own goal in a 3-3 draw.
Shocks saw Blyth Spartans beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1, Curzon Ashton beat Exeter City 3-2 and Histon beat Swindon.
Those clubs who got highly creditable draws are AFC Telford who drew 2-2 with Southend, Kettering 1-1 with Lincoln, Grays Athletic 1-1 at Carlisle, Droylesden 0-0 at Darlington and Altrincham 0-0 at Luton.
Locally, Rugby Town scored five minutes from time to win 1-0 at Tiverton Town.
In the Southern League Midland Division, leader Leamington lost their 100% record after ten matches when they were held 1-1 at Bedworth United. In front of a crowd of 413, Jason Cadden's side took an 11th minute lead through a Lamb own goal but Edmund equalised in the 34th minute.
Atherstone kept up their good run with a 3-0 win at AFC Sudbury, Barlone scored twice with Tullin also on target with the opening goal in the 21st minute.
Nuneaton Town hit Dunstable for six at Liberty Way. Williams and Collins both scored twice with Marsden and Armson netting in a 6-1 win.
Coventry Sphinx were beaten 5-3 at Westfields in a Midland Alliance game but remain second in the table, five points behind leaders Market Drayton who were held 2-2 at Coleshill. They are two points ahead of third place Boldmere St Michaels who beat Stratford Town 5-1.
Racing Club Warwick lost 2-0 at fifth placed Barwell.
Coventry Copsewood are through to the third round of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup with a 1-0 win at Castle Vale JKS. Williams scored the goal in the 82nd minute.
A J.Graham hat-trick gave Southam a 5-1 home win against Bartley Green but Nuneaton Griff lost 4-1 at Cadbury Athletic.
Coventry Amateurs are out of the Jack Mould trophy being beaten 3-1 at home by Evesham United A.
Massey Ferguson are into the Coventry Charity Cup Fourth Round with a 2-0 home win over Christ The King.