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#     Date                          Time     Home                  score  Away                  pt Σ pos gd report link

 

45 Sat 25th April      15:00       Wolves                   4-2   Millwall             3 78 7 +14  Millwall

45 Sat 25th April      15:00       Wigan                    0-1    Wolves             3 75 8 +12  Wigan

44 Sat 18th April      15:00       Wolves                   1-1    Ipswich            1 72 8 +11  TractorBoys

43  Tue 14th April     19:45      Middlesbrough     2-1    Wolves             0 71 8 +11  Boro

42  Sat 11th April      15:00      Birmngham           2-1    Wolves             0 71 8 +12  Blues

41  Mon 6th April       17:15      Wolves                  4-3     Leeds              3 71 6  +13   D-Utd

40  Sat 4th April         15:00      Notts Forest         1-2   Wolves     3 68  6temp +12 Forest

39 Fri 20th March    19:45       Wolves                  2-0    Derby County  3 65  7 +11 Rams

38 Tue17th March    19:45       Wolves                  3-0  Sheffield Weds 3 62 8 +9   Owls

37 Sat 14th March    15:00       Brighton & HA     1-1       Wolves           1  59 8  6    Albion

36 Sat 7th  March      15:00       Wolves                 2-2     Watford            1  58  8  6   Hornets H

35 Tue 3rd March      19:45      Bournemouth      2-1     Wolves             0  57  8  6  Cherries A

Wolves 4 Dicko 20′, 56′ Ebanks-Landell 70′ Sako 90′

           Millwall 2 O'Brien 58′ Philpot 82′

FT 90 +6 HT 1-0  2 May 2015

 

Wolves miss the top six - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/05/02/wolves-miss-the-top-six-report-and-pictures/

Wolves kept their part of the bargain with an untroubled victory as Derby County faltered - but they lost out on a play-off place as Brentford won.

Nouha Dicko (20 and 56 minutes), Ethan Ebanks-Landell (70) and Bakary Sako on the stroke of full-time scored Wolves' goals.  Replies from Aiden O’Brien (58) and debutant Jamie Philpot (82) made things more tight than they might have been.  Derby, surprisingly, went down 3-0 at home to Reading to finish eighth, from being title favourites earlier in the campaign.  Brentford’s 3-0 victory at home to relegated Wigan and Ipswich’s 3-2 defeat at Blackburn saw Wolves miss out on goal difference, four below than Ipswich Town.  Dicko’s brace took his tally to 14 in the league and 15 overall, the tally Sako ended on in the Championship, for what is expected to be his final appearance in gold and black.  Both players along with Richard Stearman were named as the three contenders for Player of the Year, which will be announced at the annual awards dinner at Telford International Centre on Wednesday.   

Rajiv van La Parra for Jack Price was the one change boss Kenny Jackett made from last week’s 1-0 win at Wigan.  Price dropped to the bench, where Kevin Doyle was in the 18 for the last time for a league game before his move to Colorado Rapids.  

Wolves 4 Millwall 2

Goals: Dicko 20, 56, O'Brien 58, Ebanks-Landell 70, Philpot 82, Sako 90.

Wolves (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 64 mins): Kuszczak, Iorfa, Ebanks-Landell, Stearman, Golbourne, Van La Parra (Price 64), Edwards, McDonald, Sako, Afobe, Dicko. Substitutes not used: Flatt (GK) Doherty, Henry, Doyle, Jacobs, Hause.

Millwall (4-4-2): Forde, Dunne, Nelson, Beevers, Harding, Martin (Philpot 80, Pavey 89), Abdou, Powell (Cowan-Hall 72), Upson, Gregory, O’Brien.  Substitutes not used: Archer (GK), Cummings, Gueye, Thompson.

Referee: Mark Haywood (North Yorkshire)  Attendance: 24,480. Wolves kicked off in front of a healthy Molineux crowd and created the first chance inside of the opening minute.  Sako broke and surged through the middle and picked out Benik Afobe in the inside left position.  The former Millwall loan striker produced a weak finish, though, with his left foot that was easily gathered by goalkeeper David Forde.  The home side failed to retain the momentum of that early attack, however, and it led to a rather flat rest of the first period.  News filtered through that Derby had fallen behind at home to Reading which lifted the crowd, but not so much the hosts.  Millwall threatened through centre-back Sid Nelson, who glanced well over from Lee Gregory’s cross following a corner in the eighth minute.  Seconds later, the same Millwall defender made a superb sliding tackle in his own box to deny Afobe, who found himself clean through.  Soon after McDonald put Afobe through but Forde was out in a flash, coolly dispossessing him just outside the box.  A blocked clearance in the 15th minute gave Wolves a great chance after it fell to van La Parra to leave him in a one-on-one with Forde, who blocked his shot.  Five minutes later, Wolves were in front when Dicko’s shot on the turn from six yards out found the corner of the net, after a fine run by Sako ended with a shot smothered by Forde. After a quiet start to the second-half, Dicko made it 2-0 when he cut inside from the left, cut across two defenders and lashed it into the top corner of the net.  But the increased lead lasted just two minutes when O’Brien bundled home, after goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak failed to hold Jimmy Abdou’s free kick.  Wolves brought on Price for van La Parra in the 64th minute which saw them switch to 4-2-3-1, with Afobe wide right and Edwards in an advanced role.  Ethan Ebanks Landell made it 3-1 when he stabbed home when Forde failed to deal with Sako’s vicious free kick.  And although 80th-minute substitute Jamie Philpot reduced the arrears, Sako’s tight-angled shot after a corner on the stroke of the end of normal time restored the two-goal cushion.  There was five minutes of time added one but it was too little, too late for Wolves and they will have to wait another season to challenge for promotion.

By Ged Scott

BBC Sport at Molineux

Wolves beat already relegated Millwall but missed out on the Championship play-offs on goal difference.  Despite two Nouha Dicko goals, Kenny Jackett's side failed to capitalise on slip-ups by Ipswich and Derby.  Millwall netted through Aiden O'Brien and debutant Jamie Philpot, either side of Wolves' third goal from defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell.  Bakary Sako then scored in injury time, but Wolves were left seventh in the table on 78 points.  Wolves had already gone close several times, most notably when visiting goalkeeper David Forde saved at close range from Rajiv van La Parra, when they finally took the lead on 20 minutes. Sako's mazy run into the box was thwarted but Dicko pounced on the loose ball to score from eight yards.  A 1-0 half-time lead was not enough for the home side, knowing that they would need at least for goals to catch either Ipswich or Brentford above them.  It looked more promising when Dicko's solo run on the edge of the Millwall box led to him cutting square to his right before blasting in a stunning right-foot shot from 18 yards.  But, within two minutes, O'Brien had pulled one back from close range.  Ebanks-Landell restored Wolves' two-goal lead after Forde had spilled Sako's free kick, but Philpot then struck on his debut for 3-2. In stoppage time, Sako cut in to drill home from a tight angle on the right, but it was not quite enough.

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett: "Before the game we knew that getting into the top six looked possible, not probable. We needed quite a number of teams to slip up and we knew that it would be a long shot. But we had to keep our eye on the ball and win the game, and it was a good performance. I was very pleased with the players. Things didn't work out for us but we wanted to send the fans home optimistic for next year."

Millwall manager Neil Harris: "There will be discussions with players regarding contract situations.  We have got over 20 players out of contract and there might be a couple that will be in my thoughts for next year, but there will be a hell of a lot that won't be.  "The biggest thing is we are not accepting what has happened this year and saying we will go down, rebuild and go again."

LINEUP, Bookings (2) & Subs (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 33 Iorfa 23 Ebanks-Landell 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 17 van La Parra (Price - 64' ) 11 McDonald  04 Edwards 10 Sako 12 Afobe 40 Dicko Substitutes 02 Doherty 07 Henry 16 Doyle 19 Price 27 Jacobs 30 Hause 31 Flatt

Millwall

01 Forde 02 Dunne 35 Nelson Booked  16 Beevers 21 Harding Booked  07 Martin (Pavey - 80' ) 23 Powell (Cowan-Hall - 72' )  26 Abdou 15 Upson 09 Gregory 22 O'Brien  Substitutes 04 Cummings

12 Cowan-Hall 18 Gueye 27 Archer 34 Thompson 39 Pavey 45 Philpot (Pavey - 89' )

Ref: Mark Haywood Att: 24,480

MATCH STATS

90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers  Millwall

Possession  49% 51%

Shots  20 18

On target  11 5

Corners  8 6

Fouls  6 9

Live Text Commentary

Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Millwall 2. 90:00 +5:43 Full time Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Millwall 2. 90:00 +4:50 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Sid Nelson. 90:00 +3:04 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 90:00 +2:58 Attempt blocked. Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Gregory. 90:00 +2:05 Foul by Mark Beevers (Millwall). 90:00 +2:05 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90:00 +1:55 Foul by Ed Upson (Millwall). 90:00 +1:55 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90:00 +0:05 Goal scored

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Millwall 2. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Benik Afobe following a corner. 89:51 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Dan Harding. 89:11  Sub, Millwall. Alfie Pavey replaces Jamie Philpot because of an injury. 86:58 Lee Gregory (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:58 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 86:49 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 86:33 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 85:42 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 84:47 Delay in match Jamie Philpot (Millwall) because of an injury. 84:22 Attempt missed. Mark Beevers (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Paris Cowan-Hall with a cross following a corner. 83:46 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Richard Stearman.  83:43 Attempt blocked. Dan Harding (Millwall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Philpot. 83:38 Attempt blocked. Jamie Philpot (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Paris Cowan-Hall. 82:49 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 82:27 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dave Edwards. 82:04 Attempt saved. Paris Cowan-Hall (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nadjim Abdou. 81:08 Goal scored  Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Millwall 2. Jamie Philpot (Millwall) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ed Upson. 80:28 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Nadjim Abdou. 79:24  Sub, Millwall. Jamie Philpot replaces Lee Martin. 78:57 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nouha Dicko tries a through ball, but Dave Edwards is caught offside. 77:40 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Dave Edwards with a cross. 76:35 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 75:00 Attempt blocked. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 73:44 Attempt missed. Ed Upson (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Paris Cowan-Hall. 71:50 Sub, Millwall. Paris Cowan-Hall replaces Jack Powell. 71:26 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 69:25 Goal scored

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Millwall 1. Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Wolves) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation. 68:58 Dan Harding (Millwall) is shown the yellow card. 68:19 Foul by Dan Harding (Millwall). 68:19 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 68:03 Foul by Lee Martin (Millwall). 68:03 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 67:35 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Sid Nelson. 67:33 Attempt blocked. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 66:32 Attempt saved. Lee Martin (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ed Upson. 63:59 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jack Price replaces Rajiv van La Parra. 63:03 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by David Forde. 63:01 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 61:39 Attempt missed. Lee Gregory (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. 60:36 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Bakary Sako. 59:33 Attempt missed. Ed Upson (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Aiden O'Brien. 58:39 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 57:18 Goal scored Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Millwall 1. Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lee Gregory following a set piece situation. 57:14 Attempt saved. Jack Powell (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 56:33 Lee Martin (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 56:33 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolves). 55:32 Goal scored  

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Millwall 0. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 53:10 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Richard Stearman tries a through ball, but Bakary Sako is caught offside. 53:01 Foul by Ed Upson (Millwall). 53:01 Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 51:34 Attempt blocked. Aiden O'Brien (Millwall) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Lee Martin with a cross. 49:33 Foul by Sid Nelson (Millwall). 49:33 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 49:18  Sid Nelson (Millwall) is shown the yellow card. 47:50 Attempt missed. Dan Harding (Millwall) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Lee Martin with a cross. 45:00 Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Millwall 0.

45:00 +2:01 Half time

First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Millwall 0. 45:00 +1:02 Attempt missed. Dave Edwards (Wolves) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Benik Afobe following a corner. 45:00 +0:22 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Ed Upson. 42:29 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Tomasz Kuszczak tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 41:13 Foul by Alan Dunne (Millwall). 41:13 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 39:26 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Dave Edwards. 38:47 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 35:40 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Dan Harding. 28:04 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 27:49 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 27:06 Attempt missed. Jack Powell (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ed Upson. 26:03 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolves). 26:03 Nadjim Abdou (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 25:50 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 24:58 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 24:02 Delay in match Nouha Dicko (Wolves) because of an injury. 23:30 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 23:30 Foul by Sid Nelson (Millwall). 19:42 Goal scored

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Millwall 0. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. 19:27 Attempt blocked. Nadjim Abdou (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Gregory. 17:40 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Alan Dunne. 15:44 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 15:32 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 15:32 Foul by Lee Martin (Millwall). 14:46 Attempt saved. Dave Edwards (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rajiv van La Parra. 14:24 Attempt saved. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 14:04 Attempt blocked. Nadjim Abdou (Millwall) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dan Harding with a cross. 13:17 Hand ball by Dominic Iorfa (Wolves). 10:57 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 10:57 Lee Martin (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 7:09 Attempt missed. Lee Gregory (Millwall) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Sid Nelson with a cross following a corner. 6:48 Corner, Millwall. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 5:19 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Dave Edwards tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 1:38 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 1:01 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 0:10 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 0:10 Sid Nelson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 0:00

First Half begins.

Team News

Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has suffered a knee injury and so Tomasz Kuszczak will deputise.  Wolves need to win and hope Derby and Brentford lose to guarantee them a spot in the play-

offs.  Relegated Millwall will welcome back Ed Upson from suspension after the midfielder completed a three-match ban. Fellow midfielder Shaun Williams (foot), full-back Shaun Cummings

(groin) and winger Carlos Edwards (cruciate ligament) remain out.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-Head

• The earlier meeting this season ended as a 3-3 draw at The Den in October. Millwall have won only one of the last five meetings in all competitions. Their only win since 2005 was 1-0 at

Molineux in the Championship in November 2012.  Millwall have won three of the last five meetings at Molineux in all competitions, losing two.

Wolves

• Wolves won 1-0 at Wigan last Saturday - their first win in four games.   Wolves are unbeaten in their last seven home games, winning five. Their last defeat at Molineux was 2-1 against

Reading on 7 February.

Millwall

• Millwall have not won any of their last three games, losing one. Their last win was 2-0 against Wigan at home on 14 April.  Millwall have not won any of their last seven away games, losing

five. Their last win on the road was 1-0 at Birmingham on 10 February

Wigan Athletic 0  Wolves 1   Afobe 25′

FT 90 +6 HT 0-1

24 April 2015

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: DW Stadium Date: Saturday 25 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Wigan 0 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/25/wigan-0-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves kept their season alive going into their final game of the season as they returned to winning ways by all but relegating Wigan.  Benik Afobe scored the only goal in the 25th minute in a game where the visitors were on the back foot for much of the game.  Both sides had efforts disallowed for offside - Afobe and Kim Bo-Kyung - but former Albion keeper Scott Carson twice denied Kenny Jackett’s side in the second half by thwarting clean-through Nouha Dicko against his old club and Dave Edwards’s header on the break.Wolves go into their final match of the season at home to Millwall next Saturday needing to win to make up the two-point gap to sixth-placed Derby, who came from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 at Millwall.  The Rams must also lose at home to Reading for Wolves - who also need to better the result of Brentford - to get into the play-offs.  Wigan need to win their last game at Brentford and hope Rotherham, who have two matches left, and Millwall lose to stay up.  Jackett made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Ipswich last week.  Tomasz Kuszczak, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Jack Price replaced the injured Carl Ikeme and Danny Batth, while Rajiv Van La Parra dropped to the bench.  Richard Stearman was named captain in place of Batth.  With the changes came news that Wolves were to play a diamond formation with Price in front of the back four, Edwards and Sako the narrow widemen and Kevin McDonald behind the front   two.  Wolves, wearing all gold, were making their first trip to the DW Stadium since their last game in the Premier League in May 2012 when Terry Connor’s already-relegated side went down 3-2.  Wigan kicked off attacking the North Stand where Wolves’ sell-out following of 4,686 was the third biggest at the DW Stadium this season after Middlesbrough (4,893) and Leeds (4,689).  And the home side, backed by an initially enthusiastic home crowd, started on the front foot, their survival fight no doubt boosted by Rotherham’s three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.  James McClean, playing as a striker instead of his usual left wing role, gave Wolves a left-off in the seventh minute with the first sight of goal.  McClean latched onto a long throw-in which dropped deep inside the six-yard box and was allowed to turn but could only find the sidenetting.  News filtered through that Brentford had fallen behind at Reading to give Wolves some hope that their play-off dream was still alive.  Wigan were showing much more urgency than Wolves in the early stages and former Molineux loanee Jermaine Pennant was next to try his luck when he latched onto a slip by Stearman in the 12th minute.  But the winger’s rising fierce effort was tipped over by Kuszczak.  Kim Bo-Kyung was another player causing the visitors problems and he threatened in the 22nd minute, but after flicking the ball over Price just inside the box, it wouldn’t come down quickly enough and he could only slice it well over.  Wolves hadn’t threatened at all in the first half of the first period, but they took the lead against the run of play and with the first real attack.  Scott Golbourne was crudely brought down in the corner of the box by Emmerson Boyce, who was booked for the challenge.  And when the free kick was viciously curled in by Bakary Sako, Afobe was there to crash home his 13th goal in 20 games and 32nd of the season to give Wolves the advantage.  It got better for Jackett’s side as Millwall went 2-0 up on Derby, although Ipswich had taken the lead against Nottingham Forest.  The half ended as it started - with Wigan trying to press Wolves.  But it was a highly organised and disciplined performance from the visitors, who always got plenty of bodies behind the ball.  

Wigan just couldn’t find a finish as McClean stabbed wide under pressure from Stearman then fired a rising effort from long range. Wigan made their first change in the 56th minute when former Albion striker Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced William Kvist.  In a rare Wolves break, Afobe beat Carson to steer the ball home in the 57th minute but the flag was quickly raised for  offside. Gaeten Bong was booked for a late tackle on Iorfa in the corner but Wolves switched to the attack where they were twice denied a second goal by ex-Albion keeper Scott Carson. McDonald put Nouha Dicko through in the inside-left position on 62 but the former England keeper was out in a flash to deny the one-time Wigan man before he could make his mind up.   Five minutes later, Carson produced a superb flying save to deny a header by Edwards from Sako’s corner.  Former Wolves loanee Pennant made way for Billy McKay on 68 as Wigan looked for a breakthrough.  And Wolves’ goal continued to lead a charmed life as James Perch could only head it across goal from point-blank range on 71.  Three minutes later, Kim Bo-Kyung had an effort disallowed for offside before Wigan brought on Don Cowie for Tim Chow on 79.  Wolves made a double substitution in the 82nd minute as Kortney Hause and Kevin Doyle replaced Bakary Sako and Dicko, who was booed by the Wigan fans as he made his way off slower  than they would have wanted.  Wigan piled forward in the latter stages but couldn’t break through. A fierce Wolves rearguard summed up when Stearman was injured bravely throwing himself in front of McClean.  It briefly sparked a pushing match between players from both sides, as we entered five minutes of time added on.  

Beeb

Striker Benik Afobe's goal kept Wolves' Championship play-off hopes alive and piled on the misery for Wigan Athletic as they face a last-day fight against relegation.

Wolves took the lead when Benik Afobe latched onto Bakary Sako's free-kick and fired home from close range.  Wigan fought back in the second half and almost found an equaliser but Kim Bo-kyung was adjudged offside.  James McClean was then sent off late on for Wigan for a second yellow card.  Wigan could have been relegated had Millwall not let a 3-1 lead slip against Derby, but the Latics must beat Brentford on the final day of the season to stand any chance of survival.  Eighth-placed Wolves, meanwhile, will go into their final game of the season needing to win at home to Millwall and hope results go their way to reach the play-offs.  The hosts almost took the lead early on when McClean weaved his way through the Wolves back four but his shot hit the side-netting, while Jermaine Pennant forced Tomasz Kuszczak to parry his shot away.  Wolves took an unlikely lead midway through the first half when Afobe scored his 13th goal in 20 games for Wolves and his 32nd of a prolific season.  McClean later teed up Emmerson Boyce on the edge of the Wolves box but he curled his effort just over the crossbar.  The visitors had a goal disallowed for Afobe's handball shortly before Wigan midfielder Kim was denied by the assistant referee's flag.  Marc-Antoine Fortune had a late effort pushed wide by Kuszczak, before Wigan winger McClean was dismissed for a second booking after a late tackle on captain Richard Stearman.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (8) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)

Wigan Athletic

01 Carson 17 Boyce Booked 04 Maguire 28 J.Pearce 20 Bong Booked 24 Perch 36 Kvist (Fortuné - 56' Booked ) 15 Pennant (Mckay - 68' ) 39 Chow (Cowie - 79' ) 16 Kim Bo-kyung 11 McClean Dismissed after an earlier yellow Substitutes 03 Taylor 07 McCann 10 Mckay 19 Cowie 25 Barnett 26 Al Habsi 32 Fortuné

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 33 Iorfa Booked 23 Ebanks-Landell 05 Stearman Booked 03 Golbourne 04 Edwards 11 McDonald 19 Price 10 Sako (Hause - 82' ) 12 Afobe 40 Dicko Booked (Doyle - 82' ) Substitutes 02 Doherty 07 Henry 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 27 Jacobs 30 Hause 31 Flatt

Ref: James Linington Att: 16,810

MATCH STATS

90mins

Wigan Athletic Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 62%    38%

Shots    11     3

On target    2    3

Corners    10    4

Fouls    13    9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:44 Dismissal - Second yellow card to James McClean (Wigan) for a bad foul. 90:00 +4:40 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 90:00 +4:06 Delay in match James McClean (Wigan) because of an injury. 90:00 +4:06 Delay in match Richard Stearman (Wolves) because of an injury. 90:00 +3:54 Foul by James McClean (Wigan). 90:00 +3:54 Richard Stearman (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +3:26 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Dave Edwards. 90:00 +1:23 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 89:39 Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Wigan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 89:34 Foul by Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Wigan). 89:34 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 88:15 Foul by Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Wigan). 88:15 Kevin Doyle (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 87:31 Foul by James McClean (Wigan). 87:31 Kortney Hause (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 85:44 Foul by James McClean (Wigan). 85:44 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 84:52 Billy McKay (Wigan) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 84:52 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolves). 84:13 Attempt saved. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 81:40  Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin Doyle replaces Nouha Dicko. 81:13 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kortney Hause replaces Bakary Sako. 80:46 Richard Stearman (Wolves) is shown the yellow card. 80:20 Attempt saved. Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Wigan) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Billy McKay. 78:31 Sub, Wigan Athletic. Don Cowie replaces Tim Chow. 77:42 Attempt blocked. Harry Maguire (Wigan) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Billy McKay. 76:06 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by James McClean. 73:52 Offside, Wigan Athletic. James Perch tries a through ball, but Tim Chow is caught offside. 73:46 Attempt blocked. Billy McKay (Wigan) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 73:03 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Ethan Ebanks-Landell. 69:18 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Ethan Ebanks-Landell. 67:59 Sub, Wigan Athletic. Billy McKay replaces Jermaine Pennant. 66:21 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Scott Carson. 66:19 Attempt saved. Dave Edwards (Wolves) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross. 65:50 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Marc-Antoine Fortuné. 64:55 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) is shown the yellow card. 64:33 James McClean (Wigan) is shown the yellow card. 64:01 Foul by James McClean (Wigan). 64:01 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 59:13 Gaëtan Bong (Wigan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 59:09 Foul by Gaëtan Bong (Wigan). 59:09 Dominic Iorfa (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 58:27 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 57:43 Delay in match Kevin McDonald (Wolves) because of an injury. 56:37 Hand ball by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 55:11 Sub, Wigan Athletic. Marc-Antoine Fortuné replaces William Kvist. 53:36 Offside, Wigan Athletic. Jason Pearce tries a through ball, but James McClean is caught offside. 52:22 Attempt missed. James McClean (Wigan) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Emmerson Boyce with a headed pass. 50:43 Attempt missed. James McClean (Wigan) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jason Pearce with a cross. 49:47 Tim Chow (Wigan) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 49:47 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 48:01 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jason Pearce. 47:04 Attempt missed. James McClean (Wigan) header from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jermaine Pennant with a cross following a corner.

46:35 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 45:00

Second Half begins Wigan Athletic 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

MATCH STATS 45mins

Wigan Athletic  Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 61%    39%

Shots    5    1

On target     1    1

Corners    5    0

Fouls    6    6

Live Text Commentary

45:00 +2:07 Half time First Half ends, Wigan Athletic 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 45:00 +1:06 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Bakary Sako. 44:12 Jermaine Pennant (Wigan) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 44:12 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 42:47 Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42:47 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolves). 41:19 Harry Maguire (Wigan) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41:19 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 40:23 Foul by Jason Pearce (Wigan). 40:23 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 39:48

Attempt missed. Emmerson Boyce (Wigan) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by James McClean. 39:05 Offside, Wigan Athletic. Kim Bo-Kyung tries a through ball, but William Kvist is caught offside. 35:27 Emmerson Boyce (Wigan) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35:27 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 31:56 Foul by William Kvist (Wigan).  31:56 Jack Price (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30:44 Attempt missed. James McClean (Wigan) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Emmerson Boyce. 27:48 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 27:01 Delay in match Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan) because of an injury. 26:41 Foul by Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan).  26:41 Dominic Iorfa (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 24:39 Goal scored Goal!

Goal! Wigan Athletic 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Benik Afobe (Wolves) header from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross following a set piece situation. 24:06 Emmerson Boyce (Wigan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 23:52 Foul by Emmerson Boyce (Wigan). 23:52 Scott Golbourne (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 23:07 Foul by Tim Chow (Wigan). 23:07 Richard Stearman (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 22:20 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Ethan Ebanks-Landell. 21:34 Attempt missed. Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Gaëtan Bong. 15:36 Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 15:36 Foul by Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Wolves). 11:51 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Tomasz Kuszczak. 11:45 Attempt saved. Jermaine Pennant (Wigan) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. 6:56 Attempt missed. James McClean (Wigan) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Harry Maguire with a headed pass. 5:47 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 4:52 Jason Pearce (Wigan) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4:52 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 3:25 Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Jack Price. 0:38 Foul by Kim Bo-Kyung (Wigan). 0:38 Dave Edwards (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 0:00 First Half begins.

Wigan youngster Tim Chow should keep his place after his goalscoring debut in the win over Brighton.  Latics manager Gary Caldwell will be hoping to make it two home wins in a row and has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from apart from long-term absentees Grant Holt and Emyr Huws.  Wolves defender Danny Batth (stress fracture) has been ruled out for three months while goalkeeper Carl Ikeme (knee) is also out.  Tomasz Kuszczak will deputise in goal.  And winger Bakary Sako (groin) is fit to play, having been doubtful earlier in the week. Wigan will be relegated if they fail to win and if Rotherham beat Norwich.

Head-to-Head

  • The earlier meeting this season ended as a 2-2 draw at Molineux in October.

  • Wolves have won only one of the last six meetings. Their only win since 2009 was 3-1 at Molineux in the Premier League in November 2011.

  • Wigan have won three of the last four meetings at the DW Stadium, losing the other. Wolves' only win at Wigan since 1999 was 1-0 in the Premier League in August 2009.

Wigan

• Wigan won 2-1 against Brighton at home last Saturday - their first win in seven games.  That win against Brighton was Wigan's first victory in 19 home games, since they won 4-0 against  Birmingham on 30 August.

Wolves

• Wolves have not won any of their last three games, losing two. Their last win was 4-3 against Leeds at home on 6 April.  Wolves have won only one of their last five away games. Their only win on the road since February was 2-1 at Nottingham Forest on 3 April.

Wolves 1 Afobe 50′ Ipswich Town 1 Stearman 21′ (og)

FT 90 +5 HT 0-1

Wolves 1 Ipswich Town 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/18/wolves-1-ipswich-town-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves’ play-off ambitions are hanging by a thread after they failed to beat Ipswich Town at a sunny Molineux today.  In a result that suited Mick McCarthy’s side more than Kenny Jackett’s men, Wolves were the more dominant team after the break.  It followed a scrappy first-half, where the visitors went ahead through Richard Stearman’s 22nd minute own goal.  Benik Afobe levelled within five minutes of the restart with his 12th goal in 19 games for Wolves and 31st of the season after Dave Edwards hit the post just before half-time.  But Wolves struggled to create serious chances and were left wondering whether they had done enough to keep their top-six hopes alive as they stopped the rot after two defeats.  Jackett made two changes to the side beaten 2-1 at MIddlesbrough on Tuesday as he reverted to a similar attacking side to the one that finished the game at the Riverside and played at Birmingham last Saturday.  Scott Golbourne and Nouha Dicko replaced Kortney Hause and Jack Price which saw Edwards drop into a deeper midfield position after starting in the number 10 role.  Ipswich kicked off in sunshine attacking the South Bank and created the first chance after three minutes when Daryl Murphy turned Danny Batth and squeezed in a left foot shot that sailed wide with Carl Ikeme at full stretch.  Wolves had a decent spell leading up the opening goal, with Dicko twice winning corners off former Molineux defender Christophe Berra.  But the home side lacked the quality in their final ball with crosses from Rajiv Van La Parra and Bakary Sako either overhit or not reaching their target when they broke.  Dicko also got himself one on one with Berra on the run but knocked the ball too wide and the Scot was able to get back to concede a throw-in.  Against the run of play, Ipswich took a bizarre and fortuitous lead.  Although Tommy Smith seemed to get the first touch, there was no doubting the final contact came off Stearman, who had a scoreless 15-match loan spell at Ipswich in 2012-13, as he misguided his header from Teddy Bishop’s corner six yards out and it sailed past the helpless Ikeme.  The goal seemed to take the sting out of the game somewhat and there was a notable drop in tempo and atmosphere.  Wolves seemed to lack the ideas to trouble an Ipswich side who were going for their third straight win.  And when they did get a sight of goal, the visitors were back in numbers, as was the case when Dicko looked up in the 33rd minute and saw his fierce drive cannon off Berra.  Either side of Wolves best chance of the half, Ipswich had two players booked for needless cynical fouls.  First Jonathan Parr was yellow carded for bringing down Benik Afobe on 36 then Jay Tabb went the same way for a much cruder late lunge which left Dicko beating the ground in pain then needing lengthy treatment and hobbling off for a short while before resuming action.  In between, Edwards adjusted his body to volley goalwards and Bartosz Bialkowski got a finger to tip it onto the post.  There were two minutes of added time after the Dicko injury but the game had descended into a scrappy affair and there were boos from all sides to greet the half-time whistle, reserved for referee Stuart Attwell for not awarding heavier punishment to Tabb.  

Wolves immediately attacked from the start of the second half and soon gained their reward.  Dicko should have got his unmarked header on target from inside the six-yard box from Sako’s deep free kick within seconds of the restart.  But Wolves were level when Afobe slid in at the far post to stab home from a yard out after Van La Parra turned onto Kevin McDonald’s pass in the inside left position and seen his shot loop up off a defender and squirt across goal.  Wolves went on to dominate much of the play but they struggled to create anything worthwhile as Jackett introduced James Henry for Van La Parra on 64.  And after Paul Anderson replaced Parr for the visitors on 66, it was Freddie Sears for Ipswich who had the next sight of goal, on 70 minutes.  The former West Ham youngster burst forwards following Golbourne’s poor clearing header but could only roll his shot wide.  Stephen Hunt arrived to a mixture of first boos but mostly cheers as he returned to his old club as a 74th minute substitute for Bishop.  And he tried to threaten with one of his first touches as he let fly from 25 yards but it flew comfortably over the bar.  Wolves continued to press but Ipswich were equal to everything they could throw at them.  Dicko saw a shot blocked by Berra and was then crowded out by the defender and Tommy Smith to allow keeper Bartosz Bialkowski to collect as the hosts pushed for the winner.  And at the death, the flying Dicko just failed to get his head to McDonald’s wayward angled volley.  But Wolves were left thinking that a point might not be enough to keep their play-off ambitions alive as they prepare to wait for their rivals results to filter through later on.

Beeb

Wolves kept alive their slim chances of reaching the Championship play-offs as they came from behind to draw with Ipswich.

The hosts were deflated when Richard Stearman headed into his own goal.

But after Nouha Dicko headed wide from four yards, Benik Afobe steered in his 14th of the season after Rajiv van La Parra's effort looped to him.

Dicko came close to a winner but Wolves are now three points behind sixth-placed Ipswich with two games left.

More to follow.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBS (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme  33 Iorfa 06 Batth 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 17 van La Parra (Henry - 64' ) 04 Edwards 11 McDonald 10 Sako 40 Dicko Booked 12 Afobe Substitutes 02 Doherty 07 Henry 13 McCarey 16 Doyle

19 Price 23 Ebanks-Landell 27 Jacobs

Ipswich Town

33 Bialkowski 04 Chambers  05 Smith  06 Berra 03 Mings  08 Skuse 02 Parr Booked (Anderson - 66' )  18 Tabb Booked 27 Bishop (Hunt - 74' )  09 Murphy 20 Sears (Wood - 83' ) Substitutes 01 Gerken 11

Anderson 12 Hunt 13 Fryers 14 Chaplow 39 Wood 50 Williams

Ref: Stuart Attwell Att: 23,409

MATCH STATS  90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Ipswich Town

Possession 56% 44%

Shots  12 7

On target  1 1

Corners  8 4

Fouls  6 11

Full Time Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Ipswich Town 1. 90:00 +4:03 Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Ipswich Town 1. 90:00 +3:32 Attempt missed. Paul Anderson

(Ipswich) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tyrone Mings with a cross. 90:00 +3:03 Attempt missed. Dave Edwards (WW) header from the

centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross. 90:00 +1:46 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to

the left. 90:00 +1:21 James Henry (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +1:21 Foul by Cole Skuse (Ipswich). 89:59 Hand ball by Dave Edwards (WW). 87:44 Nouha Dicko (WW) is shown

the yellow card for a bad foul. 87:40 Foul by Nouha Dicko (WW). 87:40 Luke Chambers (Ipswich) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:59 Bakary Sako (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive

half. 86:59 Foul by Tyrone Mings (Ipswich). 85:21 Attempt missed. Chris Wood (Ipswich) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cole Skuse

following a fast break. 84:06 Benik Afobe (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 84:06 Foul by Tyrone Mings (Ipswich). 82:28 Sub, Ipswich Town. Chris Wood replaces Freddie Sears. 80:16

Offside, Ipswich Town. Paul Anderson tries a through ball, but Freddie Sears is caught offside. 77:47 Attempt blocked. Daryl Murphy (Ipswich) header from the centre of the box is blocked.

Assisted by Paul Anderson with a cross. 75:37 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Christophe Berra. 75:36 Attempt blocked. Nouha Dicko (WW) left footed shot from the centre of

the box is blocked. Assisted by Benik Afobe with a through ball. 74:24 Attempt missed. Stephen Hunt (Ipswich) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cole

Skuse. 73:33 Sub, Ipswich Town. Stephen Hunt replaces Teddy Bishop. 72:25 Attempt missed. Freddie Sears (Ipswich) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 70:52 Attempt

blocked. James Henry (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 70:24 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Christophe Berra. 66:37 Corner, Wolverhampton

Wanderers. Conceded by Bartosz Bialkowski. 66:11 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Cole Skuse. 65:58 Sub, Ipswich Town. Paul Anderson replaces Jonathan Parr. 64:17 Kevin

McDonald (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64:17 Foul by Daryl Murphy (Ipswich). 63:46 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. James Henry replaces Rajiv van La Parra. 63:20 Foul by Bakary

Sako (WW). 63:20 Luke Chambers (Ipswich) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 57:23 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 56:30 Delay in match Daryl Murphy (Ipswich) because of an injury.

56:00 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scott Golbourne tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 55:23 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jay Tabb. 52:41 Attempt

saved. Freddie Sears (Ipswich) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 49:40 Goal scored

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Ipswich Town 1. Benik Afobe (WW) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. 49:39 Attempt blocked. Rajiv van La Parra (WW) right

footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 45:47 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (WW) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to

the right. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross following a set piece situation. 45:18 Benik Afobe (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 45:18 Foul by Tommy Smith (Ipswich). 45:00

Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Ipswich Town 1.

MATCH STATS 45mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Ipswich Town

Possession 57% 43%

Shots  5 1

On target  0 0

Corners  3 4

Fouls  3 6

45:00 +2:01 Half time First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Ipswich Town 1. 45:00 +1:04 Foul by Benik Afobe (WW). 45:00 +1:04 Luke Chambers (Ipswich) wins a free kick in the defensive

half. 43:56 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 42:12 Delay in match Nouha Dicko (WW) because of an injury. 41:49 Jay Tabb (Ipswich) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 41:46 Nouha Dicko

(WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41:46 Foul by Jay Tabb (Ipswich). 39:27 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Tommy Smith. 39:08 Attempt blocked. Dave Edwards (WW)

right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 37:36 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 35:38 Jonathan Parr (Ipswich)

is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 35:24 Benik Afobe (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35:24 Foul by Jonathan Parr (Ipswich). 34:36 Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Richard

Stearman. 33:34 Attempt blocked. Nouha Dicko (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 32:38 Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Scott

Golbourne. 32:14 Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 32:14 Daryl Murphy (Ipswich) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 29:44 Scott Golbourne (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 29:44 Foul by

Jonathan Parr (Ipswich). 26:43 Offside, Ipswich Town. Cole Skuse tries a through ball, but Jay Tabb is caught offside. 26:16 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (WW). 26:16 Christophe Berra (Ipswich) wins a

free kick in the defensive half. 25:14 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (WW) header from the centre of the box is too high. 24:34 Nouha Dicko (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 24:34 Foul by

Christophe Berra (Ipswich). 22:46 Attempt missed. Rajiv van La Parra (WW) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 22:03 Offside,  Bakary Sako

tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 20:44 Goal score Own Goal by Richard Stearman, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Ipswich Town 1. 20:19 Corner,

Ipswich Town. Conceded by Scott Golbourne. 17:54 Rajiv van La Parra (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 17:54 Foul by Teddy Bishop (Ipswich). 17:03 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (WW)

left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 15:45 Offside, Ipswich Town. Luke Chambers tries a through ball, but Daryl Murphy is caught offside. 13:08 Scott

Golbourne (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 13:08 Foul by Cole Skuse (Ipswich). 9:13 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Christophe Berra. 7:21 Corner, Wolverhampton

Wanderers. Conceded by Christophe Berra. 2:49 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scott Golbourne tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 2:08 Attempt missed. Daryl Murphy

(Ipswich) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Freddie Sears with a cross. 0:46 Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 0:00 First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Wolves have no new injury worries and could be unchanged from the team that lost to Middlesbrough in midweek.  Tommy Rowe is back in training after a knee injury but boss Kenny Jackett is

unlikely to play him after his lay-off.

Ipswich are still without striker Luke Varney, who has a hamstring strain, but otherwise have no new injury problems.  Midfielders Darren Ambrose (hamstring) and Kevin Bru (calf) are both back

in training but are not yet ready for match action.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Ipswich won the earlier meeting this season 2-1 at Portman Road in November.  Ipswich have won the last two meetings. Wolves' last win was 2-0 at Portman Road in the Championship in

September 2012.  Ipswich won the last meeting at Molineux 2-0 in the Championship in December 2012 - their only win in the last 13 meetings there in all competitions.

Wolves

Wolves have lost their last two games, after going unbeaten in their previous six games. Wolves have won five of their last six home games, drawing the other. Their last defeat at Molineux was

2-1 against Reading on 7 February.  

Ipswich

Ipswich have lost only one of their last six games. Their only defeat since mid-March was 2-1 at Huddersfield on 6 April. Ipswich have won only one of their last five away games. Their only win on

the road since mid-February was 1-0 at Watford on 21 March.  

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk:

"Everybody who has come in to the team has contributed, so the more players we have fit the better, especially if we do need to play another three games [in the play-offs]. We bring good

players and good people into the club, and that's important - it reflects on the club and the town.  We scored three terrific goals [against Cardiff in midweek] and it was good to come off and see

other teams had lost. I thought at the start of the season if we were challenging for the play-offs we'd have had a great season, and you'd have thought with 72 points we'd normally be in there,

certainly, so we've over-achieved from that point of view, yet we've achieved nothing yet.  I don't think we're the best team in the league, but we're one of the teams people don't relish the

thought of playing, because they know they're going to get a tough game from a hard-working, disciplined team with good players, and that whatever happens, we never give up. Whatever

happens Ipswich fans have a group of players they can be proud of."

Middlesbrough 2 Vossen 3' Bamford 11'   Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Sako 53'

FT 90 +8 HT 2-0 SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Venue: Riverside Stadium Date: Tuesday, 14 April Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Middlesbrough 2 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures  http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/14/middlesbrough-2-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

And so the wait goes on for a Wolves win away to Middlesbrough after another defeat. But after 64 years without a win on Teesside, Wolves at least made a decent fist of it after a first-half when they looked like being blown into the North Sea.  Two goals in the opening 11 minutes amid a whirlwind start by Boro effectively condemned Wolves to yet another empty return to Teesside.  But Bakary Sako’s 14th goal of the season gave them hope of preventing a second successive defeat.  And they might have snatched an equaliser but for Rajiv van La Parra hitting the bar, although Patrick Bamford did the same in the seventh minute of time added on at the death.  Wolves left themselves too much to do and failed to create clear-cut chances during their best period once they returned to a more threatening line-up when Nouha Dicko arrived after the hour.  In trying to match up with the Championship’s best home team, Jackett switched to a more conservative 4-2-3-1 formation.  He made three changes from the side beaten 2-1 at Birmingham on Saturday as Kortney Hause, Rajiv van La Parra and Dave Edwards replaced Saturday’s fall guy Scott Golbourne, James Henry and Nouha Dicko.  Perhaps mindful of the limp way they performed at Molineux earlier in the season, Boro showed they weren’t prepared to let the same happen again.  And helped by a third-minute goal and a partisan crowd, they tore at Wolves to gain the crucial advantage, then doubled it.  Jelle Vossen’s eighth goal of the season couldn’t have been easier as he rolled the ball home from eight yards after one-time Wolves target Patrick Bamford pulled it back into his path.  But it looked like the danger should have been stopped earlier after Richard Stearman allowed Adam Clayton’s long ball to bounce and Bamford was onto it in a flash.  Wolves had the chance of a leveller following their first attack in the 10th minute, but Bakary Sako wasted it.  He ballooned a free kick well over the top, after van La Parra had been brought down in a central area. And within a minute they were made it pay as Boro doubled their lead.  This time Bamford was the scorer, expertly spinning 180 degrees and firing home from 10 yards,after Albert Adomah beat the off-balance Hause all too easily on the right before crossing.  When Adomah went down for treatment in the 16th minute it was the first time Wolves had been able to draw breath.  But three minutes later, the former Bristol City winger almost brought the house down with what would have been a goal of the season contender.  Leaving Hause then Danny Batth in a heap, he curled a shot that hit the angle of post and bar.  Stearman looked as if he was perhaps lucky to escape with a booking in the 25th minute for bringing down Bamford as he burst through on goal.  And when Batth was also yellow carded for an untidy challenge that caught the same player before the break, it left both centre halves on a disciplinary tightrope for the rest of the game.  Their problems weren’t just confined to the defence.  Whenever the midfield got hold of the ball, they were swiftly hassled out of possession by Boro’s hungry middle men which meant Benik Afobe was too isolated.   

Not surprisingly, Jackett changed things at the break with the introduction of Golbourne for Hause.  It made little difference to start with. as Boro attacked from that side through right back Tomas Kalas.  His cross saw Vossen presented with a golden chance to make it 3-0 but he blazed over from point blank range.  And, out of the blue, Wolves halved the deficit as Edwards found Sako in space and the Mali international beat goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos at his near post with a blistering low drive.   It was his 14th goal of the season to make it his highest scoring campaign in English football.   Jackett introduced Dicko in the 64rd minute for Jack Price in a switch that saw Dave Edwards drop deeper.  And it signalled Wolves’ best period of the match as the game became stretched with both teams going for goal.   With two up front, Wolves were suddenly giving Boro something to think about defensively.  And they had plenty to ponder in the 73rd minute when they went within inches of an equaliser.  Golbourne crossed from the left and van La Parra volleyed against the bar.  That was to be the last noteworthy piece of action from the flying Dutchman, as he was replaced by Michael Jacobs 13 minutes from time.  But with Adomah stretchered off for Boro, both teams seemed to run out of steam in the latter stages after a breathless game that became end to end as it wore on and the tempo dropped.  In the end and despite ending the game on the front foot, Wolves left themselves too much to do after Boro’s early onslaught.  But they should be encouraged by the determined and spirited way they ended the game and it was the home support that was the more relieved to hear the final whistle.  That said, Lee Tomlin went within inches of a third Boro goal when he cut inside only to see his 25-yard shot curl just wide with Carl Ikeme at full stretch.  And before five minutes of added time, substitute Jacobs was high and wide with a rising shot.

Middlesbrough 2 Wolves 1

Soccer - Sky Bet Championship - Middlesbrough v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Goals: Vossen 3, Bamford 11, Sako 53.

Boro (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Woodgate (Omerou 63), Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Forshaw, Adomah (Amorebieta 80), Vossen, Tomlin, Bamford.

Substitutes not used: Ripley (GK), Kike, Ledesma, Whitehead, Nsue.

Wolves: (4-2-3-1): Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Hause (Golbourne 46), Price (Dicko 63), McDonald, Van La Parra (Jacobs 77), Edwards, Sako, Afobe.

Substitutes not used: Kuszczak (GK), Henry, Doyle, Ebanks-Landell.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Preston) Attendance: 20,520 (862 Wolves fans)

Beeb

Boro up to third in the table; Sixth home win in a row; Bamford scores 17th league goal; Wolves three points off play-offs

Middlesbrough maintained their push for automatic promotion to the Premier League with a hard-earned win over high-flying rivals Wolves. Boro raced into a 2-0 lead in the opening 11 minutes, Jelle Vossen side-footing the first from close range following Patrick Bamford's pass. Bamford added the second when full-back Tomas Kalas ghosted into the box before squaring for the striker to lash home. olves pulled a goal back when Bakary Sako broke in the box and scored. The win lifts Boro to third in the Championship table, above Watford who play on Wednesday at Nottingham Forest. Wolves are three points off the top six. The Teesside club are one point outside the automatic promotion places with three matches remaining.  They travel to second-placed Norwich on Friday for a game which could have huge consequences in the race for automatic promotion.  Middlesbrough then face lowly Fulham on 25 April before finishing their league campaign at home to struggling Brighton on 2 May.

Middlesbrough v Wolves

Wolves have lost back to back games for the first time in 2015  Boro boss Aitor Karanka had to endure several anxious moments before victory was confirmed against Wolves but the Spaniard will be pleased with his side's lightning start.  They were ahead after three minutes when Chelsea loanee Bamford selflessly pulled the ball back for Vossen to fire past Carl Ikeme.  Boro who found the net again after 11 minutes when Czech full-back Kalas - also on loan from Stamford Bridge - ghosted into the right side of the box before squaring for Bamford to score. Wolves pulled a goal back when Edwards picked out Sako with a long ball across field, and the Mali international broke into the box before thumping a left-footed effort past Dimi Konstantopoulos.  The visitors should have levelled midway through the second half when substitute Scott Golbourne picked out Rajiv van La Parra in space at the back post, but his first-time effort rattled the bar. Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka: "We're third with three games to go and this was the aim at the beginning of the season.  The first half was amazing, we played very well. But in the second half they showed they're a strong team. Now we have to rest and to learn from the last three or four games, and get ready for Friday night.  We made mistakes and we can't make these mistakes if we want to be a Premier League team."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett: "We played against a ruthless Middlesbrough side, in both boxes. Again defensively we need to improve.  Middlesbrough are very good, they have the best defensive record in the league, but we're disappointed with the goals against. We fought back and all the way to the end, but it was Boro's night.  But that fighting spirit and that effort is something we have to continue with and that we need in the last three games."

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBS (6)

Middlesbrough

13 Konstantopoulos 26 Kalas 39 Woodgate (Omeruo - 62' ) 06 Gibson 03 Friend 08 Clayton Booked 34 Forshaw  27 Adomah (Amorebieta - 80' ) 10 Tomlin 23 Bamford 21 Vossen (Nsue Lopez - 74' )

Substitutes 09 Garcia Martinez 11 Ledesma  12 Ripley 18 Whitehead 22 Omeruo 24 Nsue Lopez 29 Amorebieta

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme 33 Iorfa 06 Batth Booked 05 Stearman Booked 30 Hause (Golbourne - 45' ) 11 McDonald 19 Price (Dicko - 63' ) 17 van La Parra (Jacobs - 77' ) 04 Edwards Booked 10 Sako Booked 12 Afobe

Substitutes 03 Golbourne 07 Henry 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 27 Jacobs 29 Kuszczak 40 Dicko

Ref: Neil Swarbrick Att: 20,520

MATCH STATS 90mins

Middlesbrough Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 41% 59%

Shots 16 9

On target 3 1

Corners 6 4

Fouls 14 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +7:02 Full Time Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 90:00 +5:23 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolves). 90:00 +5:22 Foul by Lee Tomlin (Boro). 90:00 +4:07  Foul by Michael Jacobs (Wolves). 90:00 +4:07 Patrick Bamford (Boro) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90:00 +1:30 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 90:00 +0:22  Delay in match Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (Boro) because of an injury. 89:51 Attempt missed. Michael Jacobs (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 88:59 Adam Clayton (Boro) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 88:52 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 88:52 Foul by Adam Clayton (Boro). 88:08 Dave Edwards (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 87:58 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolves). 87:58 Adam Forshaw (Boro) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86:38 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 86:38 Fernando Amorebieta (Boro) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 85:51 Attempt missed. Lee Tomlin (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by George Friend. 82:20 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 82:20 Foul by Adam Forshaw (Boro). 79:22 Sub, Middlesbrough. Fernando Amorebieta replaces Albert Adomah because of an injury.  79:09 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 77:44 Delay in match Albert Adomah (Boro) because of an injury. 76:54 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Michael Jacobs replaces Rajiv van La Parra. 76:27 Attempt missed. Ben Gibson (Boro) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Forshaw with a cross following a corner. 75:56 Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Rajiv van La Parra. 74:38 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 74:38 Foul by Adam Clayton (Boro). 73:29 Sub, Middlesbrough. Emilio Nsue Lopez replaces Jelle Vossen. 72:40 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Scott Golbourne with a cross. 72:31 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 72:03 Attempt blocked. Patrick Bamford (Boro) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Tomlin. 71:11 Attempt missed. Dave Edwards  (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 69:36 Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 69:32 Attempt blocked. Lee Tomlin (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 68:32 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 68:32 Jelle Vossen (Boro) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 62:55 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nouha Dicko replaces Jack Price. 61:50 Sub, Middlesbrough. Kenneth Omeruo replaces Jonathan Woodgate because of an injury. 61:30 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 60:20 Delay in match Jonathan Woodgate (Boro) because of an injury. 58:33 Attempt blocked. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 57:30 Attempt saved. Ben Gibson (Boro) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Forshaw with a cross. 57:05 Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Rajiv van La Parra. 55:43 Attempt blocked. Adam Clayton (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Tomlin. 55:18 Attempt blocked. Lee Tomlin (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jelle Vossen. 52:39 Goal scoredGoal! Middlesbrough 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Dave Edwards. 51:55 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 51:55 Foul by Adam Forshaw (Boro). 51:03 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 51:03 Foul by Jelle Vossen (Boro). 50:15 Attempt missed. Jelle Vossen (Boro) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Tomas Kalas. 47:55 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 47:55 Foul by Adam Clayton (Boro). 45:00 Second Half begins Middlesbrough 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scott Golbourne replaces Kortney Hause.

MATCH STATS 45mins

      Middlesbrough Wolverhampton Wanderers

MATCH STATS

Possession  37% 63%

Shots 8 3

On target 2 0

Corners 3 4

Fouls 7 5

Live Text Commentary

45:00 +4:18 Half time

Half Time

First Half ends, Middlesbrough 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 +2:12 Bakary Sako (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 45:00 +1:55 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 45:00 +1:55 Adam Forshaw (Boro) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45:00 +1:44 Kortney

Hause (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 45:00 +1:44 Foul by Albert Adomah (Boro). 45:00 +1:23 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45:00 +1:23 Foul by Patrick Bamford (Boro). 42:14 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 42:14 Foul by Patrick Bamford (Boro). 39:22 Attempt blocked. Lee Tomlin (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by George Friend with a headed pass. 39:00 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 38:00 Delay in match (Wolves). 37:54 Danny Batth (Wolves) is shown the yellow

card for a bad foul. 37:36 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 37:36 Patrick Bamford (Boro) wins a free kick on the left wing. 35:15 Corner,Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Adam Clayton. 33:31 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos. 32:51 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Ben Gibson.  24:01  Richard Stearman (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.  23:50 Foul by Richard Stearman (Wolves). 23:50 Patrick Bamford (Boro) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 22:21 Attempt missed. Albert Adomah (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box  misses to the left following a corner. 21:49 Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Danny Batth. 21:45 Attempt blocked. Patrick Bamford (Boro) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.  Assisted by Albert Adomah. 20:28 Attempt missed. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 19:54 Benik Afobe   (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 19:54 Foul by Lee Tomlin (Boro). 19:19 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 19:19 Ben Gibson (Boro) wins a free kick in the

defensive half. 18:46 Attempt  missed. Jelle Vossen (Boro) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Patrick Bamford. 18:27 Albert Adomah (Boro) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Jelle Vossen. 17:09 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 15:40 Delay in match (Wolves). 12:01 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Ben Gibson. 11:58  Attempt blocked. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 10:33 Goal scored  Middlesbrough 2,

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Patrick Bamford (Boro) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tomas Kalas. 9:31 Attempt missed.  Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick. 8:25 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 8:25 Foul by Adam Clayton  (Boro). 6:29 Attempt missed. Jonathan Woodgate (Boro) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Forshaw with a cross following a corner. 6:08 Corner,  Middlesbrough. Conceded by

Kevin McDonald. 5:36 Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Kortney Hause. 3:53 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 3:53 Foul by Jelle  Vossen (Boro). 2:50 Goal scored  Middlesbrough 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Jelle Vossen (Boro) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Patrick Bamford. 2:22 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 2:22 Lee Tomlin (Boro) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 0:46 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Danny Batth tries a through ball, but Bakary Sako is caught offside. 0:24 Danny

Batth (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 0:24 Foul by Jelle Vossen (Boro). 0:00

First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Middlesbrough have defenders Ryan Fredericks and Daniel Ayala fit again after injury.

Grant Leadbitter serves the second of a two-match ban but fellow midfielder Dean Whitehead is available.

Tommy Rowe is close to a return from a knee injury for Wolves, who have no other worries.

Benik Afobe is once again available up front after scoring his 30th goal of the season in the narrow defeat at Birmingham on Saturday.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 2-0 at Molineux in October.

They have won the last two meetings. Middlesbrough's last win was 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship in December 2012.

Middlesbrough are unbeaten in the last 22 meetings at home in all competitions, winning 13. Wolves' last win there was 2-1 in the old Division One in April 1951.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have won two of their last three games, losing the other. Their only defeat since 21 March was 2-0 at Watford on 6 April.

Boro have won 10 of their last 11 home games, losing the other. Their only defeat at the Riverside Stadium since August was 1-0 against Leeds on 21 February.

Wolves

Wolves lost 2-1 at Birmingham on Saturday - their first defeat in seven games. They have won only one of their last four away games. Their only win on the road since February was 2-1 at Nottingham Forest on 3 April.

Birmingham City 2 Kiernan 25' Gray 61'  Wolves 1 Afobe 21'

FT 90 +5 HT 1-1

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: St Andrew's Date: Saturday, 11 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Birmingham 2 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/11/birmingham-2-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves saw their play-off hopes suffer a setback as they were stung by a Birmingham City comeback in the West Midlands derby.  Benik Afobe gave them the ideal start at St Andrews when he turned home Nouha Dicko’s cross.  But Rob Kiernan levelled for Blues - though the goal should have been awarded to Jonathan Grounds.  And Demarai Gray then won it when he pounced on slack defending from Scott Golbourne to fire home.  

The result ended Wolves four game winning run and drops Kenny Jackett’s side out of the top six and down to eighth on goal difference ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough. After working so hard to get into the play-off places, the head coach will be frustrated at the way his team so easily gave it away.  Their defending, for both goals, left a lot to be desired.  Unsurprisingly, Jackett kept faith with the same XI which started Monday’s 4-3 win over Leeds.  Blues boss Gary Rowett meanwhile made three changes from the side which lost 4-2 at Bournemouth, with former Wolves midfielder David Davis dropping to the bench.  After a scrappy start, Diego Fabbrini had the first effort with an attempted lob which Ikeme caught after a brief backpedal. James Henry has Wolves’ first shot soon after but saw it deflected over Darren Randolph’s goal by a Blues boot.  The clearest opening of the opening 20 minutes came to Gray but his shot from 25 yards was straight at Ikeme.  Soon after Wolves were ahead as Afobe got his 11th since joining the club - though he owed it all to strike partner Dicko. The Mali international showed greater desire to win the ball in a 50/50 with Kiernan before racing into the box and squaring for Afobe to apply the simplest of finishes.  The lead lasted only four minutes and though Kiernan was initially awarded to Grounds when reviewed. Ikeme saved Kiernan’s header from a corner and the loose ball fell to Grounds, whose deflected shot was at least a couple of yards over the line, before his defensive partner made no mistake after Wolves had cleared.  From then until the break, the hosts were marginally the better side with Robert Tesche hitting the side netting on the turn and Gray whipping a cross yards in front of Ikeme’s goal with no home player there to apply the finishing touch.  For Wolves, Henry fired straight at Randolph from inside the box, while Dicko forced the keeper into a save at his near post after shooting from distance.  It was tight, with neither side able to build any sustained pressure until, 16 minutes into the second half, Blues were gifted a second.  

Ironically, it came after Golbourne’s cross had won the visitors a corner. But the hosts broke quickly and though Golbourne looked to have Gray beaten in the foot race, he dawdled on the back pass allowing the Blues man to nip in and finish past Ikeme.  Henry shot straight at Randolph from distance but it was Blues who were pressing more, with a Caddis cross just too far in front of Clayton Donaldson.  Wolves upped the tempo as the game entered the last ten minutes, with McDonald shooting badly over from ten yards after Dominic Iorfa’s cross had been blocked.   But they always looked short of ideas and in the end Blues held out for a deserved win in relative comfort.  

Beeb: Demarai Gray scored his first goal of 2015 as Birmingham City won the Midlands derby at St Andrews to dent Wolves' Championship promotion hopes.  Wolves looked on course for a fifth straight win when striker Benik Afobe shot home from 10 yards.  But defender Rob Kiernan levelled four minutes later, scrambling home his first goal for Blues from a corner.  And teenage winger Gray raced clear to fire Blues' winner after the break to gift all three points to the hosts.  Wolves now drop to eighth in the table with four games left, level on points with Brentford and Mick McCarthy's Ipswich.  Kenny Jackett's side had dropped out of the top six before kick-off thanks to Brentford's draw at Derby.  But Afobe capped the visitors' early dominance whenhe gave the home side a 21st-minute lead. Nouha Dicko took advantage of a mix-up in the Blues box, squaring to his left for his strike partner to fire home from 10 yards. But the lead lasted just four minutes before Kiernan poked home for Blues. In a first half of few clear chances, Wolves were closest to another before the break when Kevin McDonald curled a low right-footed shot just wide. In a tense, classic local derby tussle of two well matched teams, it remained slim pickings for the strikers after the break. But, from a fast break straight up field when Jonathan Grounds headed clear from a Wolves corner, Gray pressured covering Wolves left-back Scott Golbourne into an error, and the young winger raced away to fire home his first goal in four months.  McDonald did have one chance on the volley after a great run by overlapping Wolves right-back Dominic Iorfa - but he blazed it over. And Demarai Gray then scored his first goal of 2015 as Birmingham City won the Midlands derby at St Andrew's to dent Wolves' Championship promotion hopes.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBS (4)

Birmingham City

01 Randolph 31 Caddis 28 Morrison 15 Kiernan (Spector - 73' ) 03 Grounds 08 Gleeson 13 Tesche 11 Cotterill Booked 36 Fabbrini (Davis - 87' )  33 Gray (Dyer - 90' ) 09 Donaldson Substitutes 10 Thomas 12 Novak 21 Doyle 22 Shinnie 23 Spector 26 Davis 40 Dyer

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme 33 Iorfa 06 Batth Booked 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 07 Henry (van La Parra - 73' ) 11 McDonald Booked 19 Price Booked 10 Sako 12 Afobe 40 Dicko Substitutes 04 Edwards 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 23 Ebanks-Landell 27 Jacobs  29 Kuszczak 30 Hause

Ref: Eddie Ilderton Att: 19,330 (4060 WW)

MATCH STATS 90mins

Birmingham City Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession  47% 53%

Shots 14 12

On target 6 4

Corners 3 5

Fouls 10 17

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:10 Full time Second Half ends, Birmingham City 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 90:00 +2:49 Hand ball by Robert Tesche (BCFC). 90:00 +1:43 Danny Batth (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90:00 +1:43 Foul by Robert Tesche (BCFC). 89:32 Sub, Birmingham City. Lloyd Dyer replaces Demarai Gray. 86:29 Sub, Birmingham City. David Davis replaces Diego Fabbrini because of an injury. 84:01 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. 82:27 Danny Batth (WW) is shown the yellow card. 82:09 Attempt blocked. Rajiv van La Parra (WW) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dominic Iorfa. 81:43 Attempt blocked. Danny Batth (WW) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross. 81:11 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jonathan Spector. 79:10 Foul by Richard Stearman (WW). 79:10 Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 78:36 Foul by Bakary Sako (WW). 78:36 Paul Caddis (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 77:29 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (WW). 77:29 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 77:04 Attempt missed. Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Stephen Gleeson. 77:01 Attempt blocked. Stephen Gleeson (BCFC) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by David Cotterill. 74:04 Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa.  73:17 Jack Price (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 73:13 Foul by Jack Price (WW). 73:13 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 72:19 Sub, Birmingham City. Jonathan Spector replaces Rob Kiernan because of an injury. 72:14 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rajiv van La Parra replaces James Henry. 71:50 Kevin McDonald (WW) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 71:11 Foul by Kevin McDonald (WW). 71:11 Robert Tesche (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70:29 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Paul Caddis. 70:28 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (WW) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Price. 69:35 Richard Stearman (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:35 Foul by Clayton Donaldson (BCFC). 67:41 Attempt saved. James Henry (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 65:51 Hand ball by David Cotterill (BCFC). 65:46 Attempt blocked. Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 65:09 Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 62:04 Foul by Kevin McDonald (WW). 62:04 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 60:46 Goal scored Birmingham City 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Demarai Gray (BCFC) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a fast break. 60:04 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jonathan Grounds. 58:19 Attempt missed. Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Paul Caddis with a cross. 56:42 Foul by Bakary Sako (WW). 56:42 Stephen Gleeson (BCFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 55:31 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 54:30 Delay in match Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) because of an injury. 52:09 Attempt missed. James Henry (WW) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 51:11 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Carl Ikeme tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 50:55 Attempt saved. Demarai Gray (BCFC) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Diego Fabbrini. 49:49 Attempt blocked. Benik Afobe (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 48:22 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Benik Afobe tries a through ball, but James Henry is caught offside. 47:56 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Paul Caddis. 47:04 Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 47:04 Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 46:15 Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 46:15 Foul by Danny Batth (WW). 45:00

Second Half begins Birmingham City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

MATCH STATS 45mins

Birmingham City 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Possession  50% 50%

Shots 8 5

On target  4  3

Corners 1 1

Fouls 6 8

45:00 +2:08 Half time First Half ends, Birmingham City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 44:37 Foul by Michael Morrison (BCFC). 44:37 Nouha Dicko (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 43:23 Attempt saved. James Henry (WW) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 42:32 David Cotterill (BCFC) wins a free kick on the right wing. 42:32 Foul by Bakary Sako (WW). 42:21 Attempt missed. Clayton Donaldson (BCFC) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Demarai Gray with a cross. 41:16 Foul by Jack Price (WW). 41:16 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 39:45 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 38:55 Delay in match Benik Afobe (WW) because of an injury. 36:25 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James Henry. 34:07 Attempt saved. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Henry. 32:30 Paul Caddis (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32:30 Foul by Scott Golbourne (WW). 32:10 Foul by Michael Morrison (BCFC). 32:10 Benik Afobe (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 31:49 Foul by Diego Fabbrini (BCFC). 31:49 Danny Batth (WW) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 31:25 Foul by Robert Tesche (BCFC).31:25 Kevin McDonald (WW) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 31:08 Foul by Stephen Gleeson (BCFC). 31:08 Kevin McDonald (WW)

wins a free kick in the attacking half. 30:02 Attempt missed. Robert Tesche (BCFC) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Paul Caddis. 28:37 Stephen Gleeson (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 28:37 Foul by Benik Afobe (WW). 27:58 Attempt missed. David Cotterill (BCFC) right footed shot from long range on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Clayton Donaldson. 26:50 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 26:50 Foul by James Henry (WW). 24:39 Goal scored Birmingham City 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Rob Kiernan (BCFC) left footed shot from very close

range to the bottom left corner following a corner. 24:30 Attempt blocked. Jonathan Grounds (BCFC) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 24:28 Attempt saved. Rob Kiernan (BCFC) header from very close range is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by David Cotterill with a cross. 24:05 Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 20:34 Goal scored

Goal! Birmingham City 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Benik Afobe (WW) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 19:48 Attempt saved. Demarai Gray (BCFC) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Clayton Donaldson. 15:42 Attempt missed. Robert Tesche (BCFC) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left. Assisted by Demarai Gray. 14:45 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (WW). 14:45 Demarai Gray (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 13:14 Foul by Jack Price (WW). 13:14 Diego Fabbrini (BCFC) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 11:35 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Rob Kiernan. 11:29 Attempt blocked. James Henry (WW) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 6:17 David Cotterill (BCFC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 6:11 Foul by David Cotterill (BCFC). 6:11 Scott Golbourne (WW) wins a free kick on the left wing. 3:40 Demarai Gray (BCFC) wins a free kick on the left wing. 3:40 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (WW). 0:00 First Half begins.

Birmingham defender Paul Robinson is suspended after receiving a red card against Bournemouth on Monday.  Defender Jonathan Spector (leg), midfielder Stephen Gleeson (ankle) and Diego Fabbrini will all be assessed.

Wolves winger Michael Jacobs is available after being recalled from his loan spell at Blackpool.  Carl Ikeme (broken foot) is expected to continue in goal while winger Tommy Rowe has recovered from a knee ligament problem and could be included.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-Head

The earlier meeting this season ended as a goalless draw at Molineux in November.  Wolves have won two of the last three meetings, drawing the other. Birmingham's last win was 1-0 at

Molineux in an FA Cup replay in January 2012.  Wolves won the last meeting at St Andrew's 3-2 in the Championship in April 2013 - their only win in the last five meetings there in all competitions.

Birmingham have won only one of their last five games. Their sole win since early March was 2-1 against Rotherham at home on 3 April. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last five home games,

winning three. Their last defeat at St Andrew's was 1-0 against Millwall on 10 February.

Wolves are unbeaten in their last six games, winning the last four. Their last defeat was 2-1 at Bournemouth on 3 March. Wolves have lost only one of their last four away games, winning two and

drawing one.

 Wolves 4 Dicko 19', 45' Afobe 48' Edwards 88' Leeds United 3 Taylor 11' Batth o/g 65' Mowatt 74'

FT 90 +5

HT 2-1

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Molineux Date: Monday, 6 April Kick-off: 17:15 BST

Wolves 4 Leeds United 3 - Report and pictures at http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/06/wolves-4-leeds-united-3-report-and-pictures/

If anyone doubted the momentum driving Wolves, they can think again after this.  Dave Edwards’ thrilling last-gasp header sealed a pulsating victory for Kenny Jackett’s side and propelled them into a Championship play-off place.  And it got a raucous Molineux bouncing and believing beyond any doubt that the force is with their side, as they round the turn for home in the Football League campaign.  It was a wonderfully bizarre game that Wolves should have won handsomely and with the minimum of fuss, such was their dominance for long spells.  And yet a comfortable victory would, perversely, have done much less for the feelgood factor that Jackett will hope can spur his team on to a top-six place.  Three good goals by Wolves, including two from star man Nouha Dicko, were cancelled out by a trio of gifts handed to their disjointed visitors, who looked set to claim the oddest of points.  Dicko’s brace and Benik Afobe’s 29th goal of the season had put Wolves 3-1 up, after Charlie Taylor’s opener for Leeds had been handed to him on a plate.  Then Wolves imploded with a Danny Batth own goal and another present that was accepted spectacularly by Alex Mowatt.  That was only for super-sub Edwards to head the winner in the final moments and provide his team and their fan base with a wonderful shot of adrenaline to fuel their run-in.

The game was preceded by a touching tribute to Wolves fan Martyn Matthews, who was among the 150 killed in the Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps.    His widow Sharon and their children, Jade and Nathan, were joined by Wolves captain Danny Batth and Leeds skipper Liam Cooper .  They laid flowers in front of the Steve Bull Stand, where Mr Matthews sat to watch his heroes.  Unchanged Wolves started brightly and looked the more likely side to open the scoring in the early stages.  Dicko had the first sight of goal when he collected pass from James Henry and drifted between two defenders, only to send a tame effort wide of the target.  And Dicko had another near miss when he headed over from a Henry free-kick, as Wolves dominated the opening exchanges.  However, Leeds went ahead out of nowhere when an inexplicable piece of play from Kevin McDonald gifted the visitors the opening goal.  The Scottish midfielder dwelled on the ball in his own left-back region and then attempted a crazy pass across the face of Carl Ikeme’s goal.  The ball hit a helpless Richard Stearman and sat up for Taylor to score with a straight forward tap-in.  The goal did little to check Wolves’ momentum, however, and they continued to press.  Dicko went close again with an effort that Marco Silvestri in the visitors’ goal needed to save.  And the Wolves striker was rewarded for his persistence on 19 minutes when he restored parity with a crisp finish.  In-form marksman Afobe turned provider with a surge into the penalty area and a cross from the right-hand edge, which Dicko turned in at the far post from a difficult angle.  The pattern of the game remained unchanged with Wolves on the front foot and Bakary Sako a constant, if frustrating, threat for the hosts.  He saw a cross gathered by Silvestri after a good run and the Leeds keeper then gathered comfortably from Henry’s 25-yard shot.  Henry then drew a smart save from Silvestri, who flew to his left to turn away the winger’s toe-poke after a run and cut-back from Dominic Iorfa.  Wolves’ dominance of possession continued, but as half-time approached they lost a little of their attacking swagger.  That was until the 43rd minute, when Henry linked up well with Afobe to tee up Sako for a powerful shot that took a deflection and ballooned behind for a corner.   And in the first minute of stoppage-time the hosts claimed the lead they deserved.  Leeds’ defence was ragged and Sol Bamba played Dicko onside as he raced onto Sako’s chipped pass and fired home past Silvestri’s feeble attempted save.  Leeds had a rare sight of goal early in the second half when Mowatt had a shot saved by goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.  But Wolves were soon back on the front foot with McDonald piercing the heart of the Leeds defence, only for his pace to let him down with Gaetano Berardi making a saving challenge.  They would not be denied a third goal, however, and it arrived in scrappy fashion on 48 minutes after Sam Byram failed to deal with a McDonald cross.  Leeds scrambled it away as far as Batth, whose shot struck Dicko on the line and dropped for Afobe to poke home.  Afobe could have added a fourth Wolves goal, moments later, when he dragged a fractionally wide from a Dicko cross.  Leeds had offered little but there was a scare for Wolves when Mowatt danced through a couple of challenges and into the box, forcing Stearman to make a hurried clearance.  Wolves had dominated but they found themselves just a single goal in front on 65 minutes, when Batth bizarrely put through his own net.  He appeared to have a simple task of clearing Mowatt’s cross but contrived to slice it past Ikeme.  And, on 74 minutes, it was all square as a bizarre afternoon took its latest twist.  Wolves missed several chances to clear their lines, Stearman’s awful ball found Mowatt and he unleashed a fantastic curling effort into the top corner.  The game remained wide open with Wolves pushing for the win that had looked to be sealed.  And substitute Rajiv van La Parra latched onto an overcooked cross, only for Berardi to block his attempted shot.  It looked set to be an afternoon of high frustration until two minutes from time, when Molineux erupted to acclaim a dramatic winner.  McDonald lofted the ball in from the left and Edwards rose to glance a perfect header inside the far post to seal a thrilling win.

Wolves 4 Leeds United 3

Goals: Taylor 11, Dicko 19, 45, Afobe 48, Batth (og 65), Mowatt 74, Edwards 88.

Wolves (4-4-2): Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne, Henry (van La Parra 78), Price, McDonald, Sako, Dicko (Edwards, 70), Afobe.

Substitutes not used: Kuszczak (GK), Doherty, Doyle, Ebanks-Landell, Hause, Kuszczak (gk).

Leeds (4-1-4-1): Silvestri, Byram, Bamba, Cooper, Berardi, Murphy; Mowatt, Phillips, Wootton, Taylor, Antenucci (Sharp 82).

Substitutes not used: Taylor (GK), Ngoyi, Cani, Doukara, Sloth, Del Fabro.

Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)

Attendance: 25,169

Beeb

Dave Edwards headed home a late winner as Wolves beat Leeds to move into the Championship play-off places.  Leeds had fought back from 3-1 down to level at 3-3 before Edwards diverted home from Kevin McDonald's cross.  Charlie Taylor scored his first senior goal for Leeds but two goals from Nouha Dicko and a strike from Benik Afobe put Kenny Jackett's side in control. An own goal from Danny Batth got Leeds back in it before Alex Mowatt levelled with a fine shot from 20 yards.  Leeds, who have endured a turbulent week off the pitch, showed good spirit to drag themselves level but substitute Edwards clinched victory with his eighth goal of the season.  Visiting manager Neil Redfearn said earlier this month he was considering his position after assistant manager Steve Thompson was suspended by the club.  His team made a bright start at Molineux and 21-year-old Taylor netted the first goal of his senior career thanks to some generous Wolves

defending.  McDonald held on to possession for too long and his clearance under pressure hit team-mate Richard Stearman, dropping kindly for Taylor to tuck home from six yards.  But Jackett's men were level within eight minutes when Afobe's cross-shot from the right was tucked in from a tight angle by Dicko.  Wolves, looking to extend a five-match unbeaten run, took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Dicko scored his second of the match and his 13th of the season.  Bakary Sako's chipped through-ball released Dicko in behind the Leeds defence and the Mali international netted with a firm low shot.  Mowatt tested Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme with a long-range effort early in the second half but the hosts made it 3-1 from the following attack. Batth's low drive looked on its way in until it hit Dicko in the six-yard box. Afobe was quickest to the loose ball, hooking his shot into the roof of the net for his 10th goal in 16 matches for Wolves. The hosts looked to be cruising to victory until an own goal from captain Batth gave Leeds hope.  Mowatt's inswinging ball from the right was aimed at Sam Byram but Batth got there first - only to divert the ball beyond Ikeme. Buoyed by the goal, Leeds took the match to their hosts and equalised thanks to a stylish strike from Mowatt.  The 20-year-old midfielder won possession in the Wolves half and ran at the heart of the hosts' defence before curling a left-foot shot beyond Ikeme from 20 yards.  It looked like Wolves would be left to rue their defensive mistakes until Edwards's late intervention.

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett:

"We can sense something happening and we just need to focus on getting our game right. If we keep improving and show a hunger to play good football, the crowd will follow us. We feel that we've got a lot of goals in our team and it's tight between all of the sides. We're just pleased to be in and around it but we need to concentrate and finish the season off strongly."

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (3)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme 33 Iorfa 06 Batth Booked 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne Booked 07 Henry (van La Parra - 78' ) 11 McDonald 19 Price 10 Sako 12 Afobe 40 Dicko (Edwards - 70' ) Substitutes 02 Doherty 04

Edwards 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 23 Ebanks-Landell 29 Kuszczak 30 Hause

Leeds United

01 Silvestri 15 Wootton Booked 03 Bamba Booked 32 Cooper 12 Berardi 07 Murphy 02 Byram Booked 40 Phillips 27 Mowatt 21 Taylor 34 Antenucci (Sharp - 82' ) Substitutes 06 N'Goyi 08 Sharp 10

Cani 13 Taylor 29 Doukara 33 Sloth 35 Del Fabro

Ref: David Coote

MATCH STATS 90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United

Possession  53% 47%

Shots  19 7

On target  8 3

Corners  6 1

Fouls  9 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:09 Full time Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Leeds United 3. 90:00 +2:41 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 90:00 +2:41 Liam Cooper (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +2:03 Attempt missed. Luke Murphy (Leeds) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 90:00 +1:38 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 90:00 +1:38 Billy Sharp (Leeds) wins a free kick on the left wing. 89:19 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89:19 Foul by Gaetano Berardi (Leeds). 87:46 Goal scored

Goal!

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Leeds United 3. Dave Edwards (Wolves) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Kevin McDonald with a cross. 87:24 Attempt missed. Jack Price (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 86:47 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Charlie Taylor. 84:30 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Scott Wootton. 83:48 Attempt missed. Alex Mowatt (Leeds) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Billy Sharp. 82:19 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 82:19 Foul by Scott Wootton (Leeds). 81:28 Sub, Leeds United. Billy Sharp replaces Mirco Antenucci. 79:29 Attempt missed. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right misses to the right. 79:26 Attempt blocked. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 77:47 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rajiv van La Parra replaces James Henry. 77:16 Charlie Taylor (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half.77:16 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 75:46 Foul by Liam Cooper (Leeds). 75:46 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 74:35 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Bakary Sako is caught offside. 73:05 Goal scored Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Leeds United 3. Alex Mowatt (Leeds) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. 69:59 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Dave Edwards replaces Nouha Dicko. 69:05 Hand ball by Mirco Antenucci (Leeds). 68:28 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Danny Batth tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 67:48 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Liam Cooper. 66:25 Scott Golbourne (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 66:25 Foul by Sam Byram (Leeds). 64:59 Goal scored Own Goal by Danny Batth, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Leeds United 2. 61:13 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 61:13 Sam Byram (Leeds) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 55:44 Sol Bamba (Leeds) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 55:41 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 55:41 Foul by Sol Bamba (Leeds). 54:46 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolves). 54:46 Alex Mowatt (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 52:17 Attempt missed. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Nouha Dicko following a set piece situation. 51:59 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 51:59 Foul by Luke Murphy (Leeds). 50:00 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 50:00 Luke Murphy (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 47:52 Goal scored   

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Leeds United 1. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Nouha Dicko following a set piece situation. 47:48 Attempt blocked. Danny Batth (Wolves) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 47:04 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 47:04 Foul by Kalvin Phillips (Leeds). 46:15 Attempt saved. Alex Mowatt (Leeds) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kalvin Phillips. 45:00

Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 1.

MATCH STATS -45mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers  Leeds United

Possession  63% 37%

Shots  11 3

On target  6 1

Corners  3 1

Fouls  3 4

Live Text Commentary

45:00 +4:57 Half time

First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 1. 45:00 +4:20 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gaetano Berardi. 45:00 +3:39 James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 45:00 +3:39 Foul by Gaetano Berardi (Leeds). 45:00 +3:02 Attempt missed. Luke Murphy (Leeds) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 45:00 +2:21 Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Dominic Iorfa. 45:00 +0:21 Goal scored

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Leeds United 1. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bakary Sako with a through ball. 44:24 Attempt blocked. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mirco Antenucci with a cross. 43:46 Foul by Richard Stearman (Wolves). 43:46 Charlie Taylor (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42:50 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Scott Wootton. 42:48 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 41:29 Attempt saved. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. 38:05 Danny Batth (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 37:59 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 37:59 Charlie Taylor (Leeds) wins a free kick on the left wing. 36:47 Scott Golbourne (Wolves) is shown the yellow card. 36:35 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 36:35 Foul by Alex Mowatt (Leeds). 34:58 Offside, Leeds United. Liam Cooper tries a through ball, but Kalvin Phillips is caught offside.  31:35 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scott Golbourne tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 28:21 Attempt blocked. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 27:43 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Marco Silvestri. 27:40 Attempt saved. James Henry (Wolves) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Dominic Iorfa. 24:33 Attempt saved. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 22:51 Scott Golbourne (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 22:51 Foul by Alex Mowatt (Leeds). 21:18 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 20:25 Delay in match Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) because of an injury. 18:10 Goal scored Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Leeds United 1. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 18:07 Attempt missed. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Dominic Iorfa. 17:21 Sam Byram (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card. 17:12 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 17:12 Luke Murphy (Leeds) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 15:06 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Henry with a cross. 13:01 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. James Henry tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 10:29 Goal scoredGoal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Leeds United 1. Charlie Taylor (Leeds) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. 8:24 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by James Henry with a cross following a set piece situation. 7:48 Scott Wootton (Leeds) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 7:29 Nouha Dicko (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 7:29 Foul by Scott Wootton (Leeds). 1:56 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 0:00

First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Wolves defender Tommy Rowe has recovered from a knee ligament problem but the visit of Leeds is too soon for him to make a comeback at Molineux.  Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is expected to keep his place in Kenny Jackett's side after returning from an 11-match absence with a broken foot.  

Leeds will be without Rudy Austin after he was shown a red card in Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Blackburn.  Fellow midfielder Lewis Cook (ankle) remains doubtful.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 2-1 at Elland Road in October. Leeds have won only one of the last six meetings. Their only win since 2005 was 1-0 at Elland Road in August 2012. Wolves are unbeaten in the last six meetings at Molineux, winning four. Leeds' last win there was 2-0 in the old Division Two in December 1984.

Wolves

Wolves are unbeaten in their last five games, winning the last three. Their last defeat was 2-1 at Bournemouth on 3 March.  Wolves have won four of their last five home games, drawing the other. Their last defeat at Molineux was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Leeds United

Leeds lost 3-0 against Blackburn at home on Saturday - their first defeat in six games.  Leeds have won two of their last three away games, drawing the other. Their last defeat on the road was 2-0 at Brighton on 24 February.

Nottingham Forest  1 Blackstock 90' Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Afobe 46' Sako 72'

FT 90 +5

HT 0-0

Nottm Forest 1 Wolves 2 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/04/03/nottm-forest-1-wolves-2-report-and-pictures/

Wolves finally made it back into the play-off zone - for a few hours at least - with a professional job on Nottingham Forest

A third successive victory lifted Kenny Jackett’s side into the top six for the first time since November, and the head coach became the quickest Wolves boss to reach 50 wins, in only his 86th game in charge.  And like the previous win over Derby, Wolves soaked up the pressure and rode their luck at times before emerging with the points.  Benik Afobe within 30 seconds of the restart sprinted half the length of the pitch to put them ahead and Bakary Sako’s 72nd minute penalty made it safe, with substitute Dexter Blackstock’s 95th minute effort no more than a consolation. Wolves were forced to play second fiddle for much of the opening 45 minutes. But once they got ahead, they seized control of the game and were reasonable value for the points, even if clear-cut chances were hard to come by in what was an attack-minded line-up, as Jackett made two changes to the side that beat Derby 2-0 two weeks ago.  Jackett made two changes to the side that beat Derby 2-0 two weeks ago.   Carl Ikeme returned in goal after missing the last 11 games with a broken bone on his foot at the expense of Tomasz Kusczak.   In a tactical switch to cope with Forest dangerman Michail Antonio, Dominic Iorfa replaced Matt Doherty at right back.

Wolves had the first chance in the opening minute when Bakary Sako let fly with a fierce, low drive that cannoned off Jamaal Lascelles for a corner.  But for virtually the whole of the rest of the first half, Wolves were forced onto the back foot as Forest camped in their half.  Forest closed them down so well that Wolves were almost bullied into surrendering the ball as soon as they got it. Dougie Freedman’s side adapted much better to the difficult conditions after driving rain left the pitch greasy.  Talk about defending from the front and no one did it better than on-loan Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom.  Making his debut, Akpom had the first chance but it was wasted as he sent a looping header well over from Ben Osborn’s free kick.  Antonio provided one of several nervous moments for Ikeme on his comeback as he closed down from Richard Stearman’s backpass and the keeper’s clearance hit the winger and thankfully for Wolves, bounced wide.  Forest’s

fire and urgency to close Wolves down at every opportunity proved somewhat too zealous in the 15th minute when Gary Gardner was booked for catching Scott Golbourne late.   But the home side continued to take the game to Wolves and it needed a superb flying save from Ikeme at full stretch to deny the former Molineux loanee Michael Mancienne from 30 yards in the 17th minute.  Little had been seen of the visiting attack, with Nouha Dicko particularly anonymous for much of the opening period. But Wolves broke on the counter attack for only the second time of the first half on 25 when James Henry picked out Benik Afobe for a glancing header that drifted well wide. Forest returned to the attack and on-loan Villa midfielder Gardner had the next opportunity, letting fly from 25 yards but it was way too high.  But from out of the blue, Wolves had a double chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute.  There seemed no danger but Kelvin Wilson slipped as he chased Kevin McDonald’s chip and Afobe was onto it in a flash.  The £2m striker saw his shot charged down by keeper Karl Darlow at point-blank range.  But the danger was far from over as the ball dropped for Dicko, whose shot was blocked by Darlow then his follow-up was cleared off the line by Eric Lichaj.  Play switched to the other end again as Forest had another sight of goal through Henri Lansbury, whose first time effort from 25 yards fizzed wide.  With Forest seemingly struggling to maintain their earlier tempo, Wolves finally came into the game more in the minutes before half-time.  Desperate to make an impact on the game, Henry and Sako came infield and there was plenty of possession from the visitors but little to show for it.  

But if Forest thought Wolves were going to be there for the taking, Jackett’s side proved otherwise within 30 seconds of the restart as they snatched the lead.  Afobe ran from the halfway line and Forest simply backed off him, allowing him to run unchallenged before he calmly sidefooted a low shot inside Darlow’s right hand post.  Dicko then could have gone down in the box but he opted to stay on his feet and cross with Afobe screaming for the ball short as Wolves threatened a second goal.   They still had a while to wait for that as they had a let off twice in a minute just after the hour.  First Gary Gardner failed to get clean connection six yards out after Chris Burke at the far post teed him up on 63 minutes.  And then Antonio, who switched to the right wing in the second half after getting little change out of Iorfa,  lashed into the sidenetting when some fans cheered a goal.  But Wolves had much more control of the game after the break and a double

substitution in the 67th minute helped them retain it as Dave Edwards and Rajiv Van La Parra replaced Dicko and Henry.  And they took a decisive step towards three points five minutes later. Forest could have few complaints as Lansbury clearly tripped Sako.  And the winger, who netted from the spot for Mali in midweek, needed no second invitation as he curled inside Darlow’s right-hand post for his 13th goal of the season.  Wolves had little trouble seeing out the rest of the game as Forest’s fire extinguished.  Blackstock stabbed home a loose ball in the box in the fifth minute of time added on to deny Wolves a third successive clean sheet.  But Forest, with the City Ground now half empty of home fans, had no chance to make it count further as the referee blew for full-time within seconds.  And the celebrations began between Wolves players and fans. They are hitting form just at the right time and the prize is in sight.

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: City Ground Date: Friday 3 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

 BBC Sport website

Benik Afobe scored 27 seconds in to the second half as Wolves moved in to the Championship play-off places with a clinical victory that all but ends Nottingham Forest's promotion hopes.  Former Arsenal striker Afobe opened the scoring with a fine low shot after an uneventful first half.  Forest had chances to level through Michail Antonio and Gary Gardner.  But Bakary Sako's  penalty made it 2-0 and they held on despite an injury-time strike from Dexter Blackstock.  Forest barely had time to kick off after substitute Blackstock's goal but even a draw would have been little use for their already slim play-off hopes with the gap now standing at 11 points.  Derby County and Ipswich Town both play on Friday evening, meaning Wolves' one-point gap could well be closed.  But Kenny Jackett's side will take great confidence from an impressive display against a side who had won all of their previous five home league games under manager Dougie Freedman.  A tight and tense first half saw neither side able to get on top or create noteworthy chances.  But Wolves took control in the teeming rain just after the interval when Forest hesitated in the centre of the pitch and Afobe was allowed to head towards goal and shoot unchallenged from outside the box to score his 28th goal of the season.  Antonio did waste a glorious opportunity to level, shooting into the side netting from 12 yards after a rare Wolves mix-up, while Gardner mis-kicked when well placed. However, Wolves were the more threatening and composed, and Sako's spot-kick made it 2-0 after his clever run drew a needless sliding tackle from Henri Lansbury. Blackstock's tidy finish brought hope in the fourth minute of injury time but there was only just time to kick off.

Benik Afobe's second-half strike takes his tally to 28 for the season, and nine in 15 games for Wolves since joining from Arsenal in January.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBS (6)

Nottingham Forest

01 Darlow 04 Mancienne 16 Lascelles Booked 06 Wilson 02 Lichaj 22 Gardner Booked 27 Burke (Walker - 76' ) 10 Lansbury 38 Osborn (Paterson - 57' ) 18 Antonio (Blackstock - 83' ) 31 Akpom

Substitutes 13 Fox 21 Paterson 23 Blackstock 24 Vaughan 25 Hobbs 26 Evtimov 34 Walker

Wolverhampton Wanderers

01 Ikeme 33 Iorfa 06 Batth 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 07 Henry (van La Parra - 67' ) 11 McDonald 19 Price Booked 10 Sako 40 Dicko (Edwards - 67' ) 12 Afobe (Doherty - 89' ) Substitutes 02 Doherty

04 Edwards 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 23 Ebanks-Landell 29 Kuszczak 30 Hause

Ref: Andy D'Urso Att: 27,185

MATCH STATS

90mins

Nottingham Forest  Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession  51% 49%

Shots 13  10

On target  2 4

Corners 5 3

Fouls 10 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:31 Full time Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. 90:00 +3:47 Goal! Nottingham Forest 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Dexter Blackstock (Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. 90:00 +1:30 Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Danny Batth. 90:00 +1:09 Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 88:42 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Matt Doherty replaces Benik Afobe. 86:20 Foul by Henri Lansbury (Forest). 86:20 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 83:50 Chuba Akpom (Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing. 83:50 Foul by Dave Edwards (Wolves). 83:41 Jamie Paterson (Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 83:41 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 83:03 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Kelvin Wilson. 82:21 Sub, Nottingham Forest. Dexter Blackstock replaces Michail Antonio. 81:47 Foul by Chuba Akpom (Forest). 81:47 Dominic Iorfa (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 78:44 Foul by Chuba Akpom (Forest). 78:44 Bakary Sako (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 76:08 Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Bakary Sako. 75:39 Tyler Walker (Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 75:39 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolves).75:26 Sub, Nottingham Forest. Tyler Walker replaces Chris Burke. 75:00 Jamaal Lascelles (Forest) is shown the yellow card. 74:36 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. 73:09 Attempt missed. Gary Gardner (Forest) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jamie Paterson. 71:34 Goal scored

Goal! Nottingham Forest 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Bakary Sako (Wolves) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner. 70:36 Penalty conceded by Henri Lansbury (Forest) after a foul in the penalty area. 70:36 Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako draws a foul in the penalty area. 69:46 Attempt blocked. Michail Antonio (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 68:19 Jamaal Lascelles (Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 68:19 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolves). 67:44 Attempt missed. Eric Lichaj (Forest) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. 66:39 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rajiv van La Parra replaces James Henry. 66:32 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Dave Edwards replaces Nouha Dicko. 65:31 Jack Price (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 65:11 Jamie Paterson (Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing. 65:11 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 63:18 Attempt missed. Michail Antonio (Forest) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Gary Gardner. 62:02 Attempt missed. Gary Gardner (Forest) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Chris Burke. 61:05 Foul by Jamie Paterson (Forest). 61:05 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 60:00 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 56:02 Sub, Nottingham Forest. Jamie Paterson replaces Ben Osborn. 54:33 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Henry with a cross. 52:23 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 51:21 Delay in match Michail Antonio (Forest) because of an injury. 49:34 Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 47:04 Michail Antonio (Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing. 47:04 Foul by James Henry (Wolves). 45:28 Goal scored

Goal! Nottingham Forest 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Dominic Iorfa with a headed pass.

45:00 Second Half begins Nottingham Forest 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.

MATCH STATS 45mins

Nottingham Forest Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession   46% 54%

Shots 7 5

On target 1 2

Corners 1 2

Fouls 5 4

Live Text Commentary

45:00 +1:01 Half time

Half Time

First Half ends, Nottingham Forest 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 +0:14 Attempt missed. Michail Antonio (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

Assisted by Eric Lichaj. 43:05 Offside, Nottingham Forest. Karl Darlow tries a through ball, but Chuba Akpom is caught offside. 42:21 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolves). 42:21 Michail Antonio (Forest)

wins a free kick in the defensive half. 39:43 Attempt saved. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 35:25

Attempt missed. Henri Lansbury (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Chris Burke. 31:44 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Eric

Lichaj. 31:43 Attempt blocked. Nouha Dicko (Wolves) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. 31:21 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box

is blocked. 30:22 Foul by Eric Lichaj (Forest). 30:22 James Henry (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 29:17 Attempt missed. Gary Gardner (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box

is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Henri Lansbury. 24:58 Attempt missed. Benik Afobe (Wolves) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Henry with a cross.

24:33 Attempt missed. Gary Gardner (Forest) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Chris Burke following a set piece situation. 23:49 Foul by Scott

Golbourne (Wolves). 23:49 Chris Burke (Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing. 21:33 Offside, Nottingham Forest. Karl Darlow tries a through ball, but Chuba Akpom is caught offside. 18:07

Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 18:07 Foul by Gary Gardner (Forest).

17:19 Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Carl Ikeme. 16:45 Attempt saved. Michael Mancienne (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted

by Henri Lansbury. 14:32  Gary Gardner (Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 14:08 Foul by Gary Gardner (Forest). 14:08 Scott Golbourne (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

13:15 Attempt blocked. Henri Lansbury (Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 11:24 Foul by Scott Golbourne (Wolves). 11:24 Chris Burke (Forest) wins a free kick in the

defensive half. 10:00 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10:00 Foul by Henri Lansbury (Forest). 9:41 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

9:41 Foul by Michail Antonio (Forest). 3:46 Attempt missed. Chuba Akpom (Forest) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ben Osborn with a cross following a set piece

situation. 2:56 Chuba Akpom (Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing. 2:56 Foul by Dominic Iorfa (Wolves). 0:54 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jamaal Lascelles. 0:51 Attempt

blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 0:00

First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Teenage striker Chuba Akpom could be primed for a Forest debut while Dougie Freedman also has dangerman Dexter Blackstock available after injury.  Defender Jack Hobbs is back in contention

after eight games out (hamstring), but Matty Fryatt's Achilles problem persists.

Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme could return from injury and striker Kevin Doyle is back from international duty.  The versatile Tommy Rowe is out as he struggles with a broken foot.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Nottingham Forest won the earlier meeting this season 3-0 at Molineux in November.  D ougie Freedman's side have won the last three meetings. Wolves' last win was 1-0 at the City Ground in

March 2009.  They have won two of the last three meetings at the City Ground, losing the other.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest lost their last game 3-1 at Norwich on 21 March - their first defeat in four games.  Nottingham Forest have won their last five home games. Their last defeat at the City Ground

was 1-0 against Millwall on 31 January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have lost only one of their last eight games. Their only defeat since mid-February was 2-1 at Bournemouth on 3 March.  Wolves have won only one of their last four away games. Their

only win on the road since 10 February was 1-0 at Cardiff on 28 February.

Wolves 2 Dicko 48′ Grant 69′ (og) Derby County 0 Live on Sky

FT 90 +5 HT 0-0

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Molineux Date: Friday, 20 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Wolves 2 Derby 0 - Report and pictures here http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/20/wolves-2-derby-0-report-and-pictures/

Wolves are only out of the Championship play-off places on goal difference tonight after a 2-0 win at home to fellow promotion chasers Derby County.

Goals: Dicko 48, Grant (og) 69.

Wolves (4-4-2): Kuszczak, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne; Henry (van La Parra 67), Price, McDonald, Sako, Afobe (Doyle 90), Dicko (Edwards 65). Substitutes not used: McCarey (GK), Ebanks-Landell, Hause, Iorfa.

Derby County (4-3-3): Grant, Christie, Keogh, Albentosa, Forsyth; Hughes, Ince, Bryson, Russell (Hawkins 70), Bent, Lingard. Substitutes not used: Roos (GK), Ward, Hanson, Thomas, Shotton, Warnock.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Dorset)  Attendance: 27, 480 (2,576 Derby fans).

Nouha Dicko’s sweet strike and goalkeeper Lee Grant’s comical own goal saw Kenny Jackett’s side home in a keenly-contested affair, writes Craig Birch.  Molineux’s second highest gate of the season - 27,480 - were in attendance as the nation watched on Sky Sports. Ticket prices had been slashed for the fixture.  Wolves signed off for the international break in style and left the onus on the five teams in the top six playing tomorrow, before they return to action at Nottingham Forest on Good Friday.  The teams went at each other with gusto in the early exchanges, but it was Derby who could have been ahead before Wolves really threatened.  They were keen to hit the hosts on the break and nearly did just that in the 16th minute, when Craig Forsyth’s low cross skidded across the box but a sliding Darren Bent couldn’t connect.  Derby dangerman Thomas Ince then rattled the woodwork in the 25th minute haring down on goal, his looping effort bouncing off the crossbar.  But, just when the visitors were starting to take command, Grant had to come to the rescue in the 26th minute.  Dicko pinged in a cross from the right which strike partner Benik Afobe managed to latch onto, but Grant intervened to save with his legs.  Afobe and Dicko both fired wide soon after his did Ince, who then forced a strong save from goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak as the England Under-21 international shone.  Wolves could arguably have been down to 10 men five minutes before half-time in a real let off for Danny Batth.  He pulled down Bent just outside the box and, as the last man, that could have well been it for the home skipper. Referee Keith Stroud didn’t even book him, despite giving a free kick. Both sides went in deadlocked with it all to play for after the break, with the tempo upped at the restart and to Wolves’ advantage.  They were suddenly battering the Rams and just three minutes of the second-half had elapsed when they got their noses in front through Dicko.  Another pass from Kevin McDonald was picked beautifully as he sprayed the ball diagonally to the left hand edge of the box, where Dicko was advancing. The striker jinked his way in, drawing Grant and then the defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner, giving Wolves the advantage they needed.  Derby tried in vain for a swift response with Jesse Lingard drawing the hands of Kuszczak with a shot from outside the box on 54, a flailing Richard Stearman then hacking the ball away.  It could and perhaps should have 2-0 in the 57th minute, as another choice delivery from that man McDonald left Afobe tussling with Forsyth to break free.  The full-back was riding on the forward’s coat-tails by the time he got into the box and his shot flew over Grant, but proved too high as it the crossbar and bounced over.  Then came the killer goal from a Rams perspective in the 69th minute, as Wolves were all but handed the three points as the away side imploded.  It wasn’t far substitute Rajiv van La Parra’s first touch as he burst through on Derby’s right hand side, before lifting a speculative ball into the box.  First Forsyth made a hash of a clearance that dropped right on his foot as it looped over him, before Grant spilled a routine catch completely for the ball to inexplicably drop into the net.  There was no stopping Wolves after that gift as they shut up shop and invited pressure, which Steve McLaren’s shell-shocked side could no longer provide.  Instead, it was Wolves who could have made the result more emphatic at the death. Bakary Sako worked himself into a good position only to fire over in stoppage time.

BEEB

Wolves moved into the Championship play-off scramble with two second-half goals to beat promotion rivals Derby County.  After Tom Ince had hit the bar in a first-half shaded by the Rams, Wolves struck through Nouha Dicko three minutes after the restart.  Rams keeper Lee Grant's own goal then sealed Wolves' rise to seventh, level on points with sixth-place Brentford. Derby remain fifth after their winless run stretched to six matches. Although they were denied by a succession of saves in both halves from Wolves keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, Derby could not find a way through, leaving Steve McClaren's one-time promotion favourites just two points better off than Kenny Jackett's Wolves.   Apart from one menacing run to the bye line by Bakary Sako, Wolves's promising start in front of a near capacity crowd had rather lost its way by the break.  Derby four times went close, with Ince, son of former Wolves skipper Paul, being denied first by the bar, then by home keeper Kuszczak, who also made full-length saves to block Jesse Lingard and Craig Bryson. There was also a moment of contention when Darren Bent went down easily following a brush with Richard Stearman on the edge of the box but, although referee Keith Stroud gave a free-kick, he chose not to punish the Wolves player. Derby's growing authority vanished just three minutes into the second half when visiting left-back Craig Forsyth's loose pass triggered the opening goal.  Kevin McDonald fed Dicko and, after appearing to take the ball a little too wide, he turned to drill a low left-foot shot which nutmegged the hapless recovering Forsyth, brushing his thigh on the corner of the six-yard box on the way in.  Benik Afobe might have made it two with a powerful right-foot shot which hit the bar before Wolves' opponents somehow engineered a scrappy second for their hosts Richard Keogh's clearance span wickedly high up into the air and, with Danny Batth making a nuisance of himself at the near post, Grant was sufficiently distracted to flap the viciously spinning ball into his own net

Table toppers

Both Derby and Wolves have topped the Championship table this season, although the time spent on top by Steve McClaren's Rams at various times accounts for a lot longer. By comparison, Wolves's time at the top, after the 0-0 lunchtime draw with Birmingham City on 1 November, lasted just two hours

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBS (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman 03 Golbourne 07 Henry (van La Parra - 68' ) 11 McDonald 19 Price 10 Sako 12 Afobe (Doyle - 90' ) 40 Dicko (Edwards - 65' ) Substitutes 04 Edwards 13

McCarey 16 Doyle 17 van La Parra 23 Ebanks-Landell 30 Hause 33 Iorfa

Derby County

01 Grant 02 Christie Booked 06 Keogh 36 Albentosa 03 Forsyth 19 Hughes 04 Bryson 11 Russell (Dawkins - 70' ) 23 Ince 16 Lingard 39 Bent Substitutes 07 Dawkins 10 Ward 21 Roos 26 Hanson 29

Thomas 32 Shotton 37 Warnock

Ref: Keith Stroud

Att: 27,480

MATCH STATS 90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Derby County

Possession  39% 61%

Shots  10 19

On target  3 8

Corners  4 4

Fouls  10 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:45 Full time

Full Time

Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Derby County 0. 90:00 +4:14 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. 90:00 +3:24 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Simon Dawkins. 90:00 +2:34 Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County). 90:00 +2:34 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89:55  Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin Doyle replaces Benik Afobe. 89:03 Foul by Simon Dawkins (Derby County). 89:03 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 87:00 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Simon Dawkins. 86:30 Attempt blocked. Will Hughes (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Forsyth with a headed pass. 85:35 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Danny Batth tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 83:53 Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 83:53 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 81:37 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Cyrus Christie. 80:12 Foul by Raúl Albentosa (Derby County). 80:12 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 79:35 Foul by Will Hughes (Derby County). 79:35 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79:08 Attempt saved. Simon Dawkins (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Cyrus Christie. 77:31 Offside, Derby County. Cyrus Christie tries a through ball, but Raúl Albentosa is caught offside.  76:45 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 76:45 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 76:23 Simon Dawkins (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 76:23 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 75:31 Attempt missed. Darren Bent (Derby County) header from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Bryson with a cross following a corner. 75:10 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 73:18 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Simon Dawkins. 71:36 Foul by Simon Dawkins (Derby County). 71:36 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:47 Sub, Derby County. Simon Dawkins replaces Johnny Russell. 68:01 Goal scored Goal!

Own Goal by Lee Grant, Derby County. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Derby County 0. 67:33 Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County). 67:33 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 67:03 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rajiv van La Parra replaces James Henry. 65:25 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 65:25 Foul by James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 64:55 Johnny Russell (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 64:55 Foul by Scott Golbourne (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 64:33 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Dave Edwards replaces Nouha Dicko. 61:49 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Danny Batth. 61:30 Cyrus Christie (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 61:30 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 61:14 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin McDonald tries a through ball, but Nouha Dicko is caught offside. 59:44 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 58:27 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Forsyth. 56:50 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 55:04 Attempt missed. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jesse Lingard. 54:47 Attempt saved. Craig Bryson (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jesse Lingard. 53:31 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Will Hughes.

47:46 Goal scored oal!

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Derby County 0. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 45:00

Second Half begins Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Derby County 0.

MATCH STATS HT

Wolverhampton Wanderers Derby County

Possession 50% 50%

Shots  6 9

On target  2 3

Corners  3 3

Fouls  4 3

Live Text Commentary

 45:00 +1:12 Half time First Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Derby County 0. 45:00 +0:10 Cyrus Christie (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 44:51 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44:51 Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County). 43:48 Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 43:48 Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41:00 Attempt saved. Craig Bryson (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. 38:52 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 38:52 Darren Bent (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 37:41 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Richard Keogh. 36:53 Attempt missed. Craig Forsyth (Derby County) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Craig Bryson following a corner. 36:51 Attempt missed. Craig Bryson (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner. 36:21 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Tomasz Kuszczak. 36:18 Attempt saved. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Will Hughes. 34:43 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Tomasz Kuszczak. 34:41 Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Ince. 32:49 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by James Henry. 30:57 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Benik Afobe.  29:22 Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 29:19 Attempt missed. Will Hughes (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. 26:13 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 26:13 Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County). 26:00 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 24:37 Tom Ince (Derby County) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Craig Forsyth with a cross. 23:23 Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Nouha Dicko. 20:04 Dangerous play by Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 20:04 Craig Bryson (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 17:37 Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from very close range is too high.

Assisted by Bakary Sako with a cross following a corner. 17:17 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Cyrus Christie. 16:32 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Craig Bryson. 9:40 Jesse Lingard (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing. 9:40 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 7:31 Foul by Will Hughes (Derby County). 7:31 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 5:54 Attempt missed. Johnny Russell (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Will Hughes. 1:09 Attempt blocked. Darren Bent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 0:00First Half begins.

TEAM NEWS

Wolves defenders Richard Stearman and Dominic Iorfa are fit to face Derby after recovering from injury problems.  Stearman was stretchered off during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux with nerve pain in his back and hamstring.

Derby County defender Jake Buxton is likely to miss the match with a back problem.  Striker Chris Martin and midfielder John Eustace are also out as Derby aim to end a five-game winless run.

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett told BBC Sport:

"Richard Stearman's partnership with Danny Batth has been my preferred selection and I'm glad that's able to continue.  Games like this whet the appetite. Everybody's got their eyes on that top six and what it takes to get there. Making that late run is something we're all trying to do. All we can do is worry about ourselves.  I'm not surprised Derby are up there in contention again. We've worked hard to keep on their coat tails from when they beat us earlier in the season and we're pleased to still be up there in the mix.  Over the last two years, Derby have shown that they're one of the best footballing sides in the division. A lot of what they do, I admire. If they get there, their style would really suit the Premier League."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Derby won the earlier meeting this season 5-0 at the iPro Stadium in November - their first win in six meetings. The Rams have won only one of the last seven meetings at Molineux. Their only

win there since 1994 was 1-0 in September 2006.

Wolves

Wolves' win against Sheffield Wednesday at home on Tuesday was their first victory in four matches.  They have won three of their last four home games, drawing the other. Their last defeat at

Molineux was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Derby

Derby have failed to win any of their last five games, losing three. Their last win was 2-0 against Charlton at home on 24 February.  The Rams have not won any of their last five away games, losing

two. Their last win on the road was 2-0 at Cardiff on 31 January.

Wolves   3  Sako 18′ (pen) Afobe 55′ Henry 67′ Sheffield Wednesday 0

Richard Stearman was stretchered off in his 200th game for Wolves.  He pulled up sharply after a polite shoulder charge knocked an Owl over and another strong display.  Outstanding goal from James Henry a sub after RVLP appeared to have forgotten how to track back.

Wolves 3 Sheffield Wed 0 - Report and pictures at http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/17/wolves-3-sheffield-wed-0-report-and-pictures/

It started with a dodgy penalty but it ended with one of Wolves’ most convincing victories of a pulsating season that refuses to die for Kenny Jackett’s side. Bakary Sako’s 18th-minute spot kick following Nouha Dicko’s fall that looked right out of Fernando Forestieri’s book of tricks paved the way for a third win in four home games.  Benik Afobe (55) and substitute James Henry (67) added the gloss that was slightly tarnished by Richard Stearman’s exit on a stretcher 17 minutes from time.  But it was just the sort of determined, full throttle

performance to make the missing fans whet their lips in anticipation of Friday night’s televised visit of Derby.  Jackett made two changes from the line-up that made it successive draws at Brighton on Saturday.  Scott Golbourne and Nouha Dicko replaced Kortney Hause and James Henry as Jackett went for a more attacking team.  Wolves, unusually kicking towards the South Bank in the first half, immediately set about putting Wednesday under pressure.  There was plenty of possession but little in the way of clear-cut chances until after Rajiv Van La Parra crossed too close to keeper Keiren Westwood in the 11th minute, with both strikers poised to pounce in the box.  Wednesday threatened two minutes later when Tom Lees climbed between two Wolves players at  the far post but nodded too high from Jeremy Helan’s deep free kick.  But the home side were quite literally in a hurry as they chased an early breakthrough, and they took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances.  Nouha Dicko skipped past the challenge of Helan but was still accelerating when he was caught by minimal contact from Claude Dielna, who had made three glorious interceptions earlier to deny the fired-up Wolves attack.  Referee Simon Hooper had no hesitation in pointing to the spot however and Sako side-footed home for his 12th goal of the season, but

only the second penalty.  For the home side, virtually all their concentration was on pushing forwards at every opportunity.  But they had to be wary of Wednesday on the break and in ex-Owls loan defender Danny Batth, Wolves had the right man in the right place on three occasions to head powerfully away.  Kevin McDonald was having arguably the best attacking display in a Wolves shirt as he burst forward on several occasions from central midfield.   And it all added up to what was probably Wolves’ most attacking performance of the season as they forced another four good chances in eight minutes either side of the half hour.  Jack Price rolled the ball wide after Sako played it into Matt Doherty who miscued his shot and van La Parra’s effort was blocked on 25 minutes.  Two minutes later, Benik Afobe put Dicko through but the striker produced a poor first touch and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.  On 32, Dicko was much closer as his spectacular curling shot from 20 yards was superbly clawed out of the air by a flying save from Keiren Westwood palming away.  Within 60 seconds, Price sidefooted straight at the keeper after Sako put Van La Parra through for the cut back on the overlap.  That was it from Wolves as attacking force before the break, but they couldn’t relax.  Wednesday threatened with a header from Jacques Maghoma that had keeper Tomasz Kuszczak at full stretch to palm away in the 36th minute.  The competitive edge of the game threatened to spill over in the two minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.  First, Afobe caught Helan late with a challenge and the noise of the collision could be heard around the ground.  Then Sam Hutchinson did what looked like the same thing on Sako.  If Wolves thought they were going to repeat their furious first half by laying siege to the Wednesday goal, they were sadly mistaken. Instead the Owls tried in vain for the equaliser.  Maghoma was inches away with a curling shot that bounced just wide of Kuszczak’s left-hand post.  Wednesday continued to cause Wolves problems and a header from the towering Atdhe Nuhui bounced on top of the net to give the hosts another nervous moment.  Jackett felt the need to change things and in the 52nd minute he brought on Henry for Van La Parra, who had something of an untidy start to the second half.  Wolves broke to double their lead with their first real attack of the second half on the hour.  The excellent Doherty looked up from the right and his cross was perfect for the in-rushing Afobe to meet it full on the volley.  The ball hit the inside of Westwood’s right-hand post before nestling in the opposite corner for his eighth goal in 13 games for Wolves and 27th of the season.  And Henry duly made it 3-0, floating a delicious rising shot into the far corner of the net after cutting in from the right and adjusting himself to strike it with his right foot.  But there was more drama to come as Stearman, clearly struggling, fell to the floor after deliberately poking the ball out for a throw-in in the 73rd minute.  And the Wolverhampton-born stopper suffered the misfortune of being stretchered off on his 200th League game for the club.  Ethan Ebanks-Landell replaced him for his first start since November 22.  Wolves will be hoping the damage to Stearman isn’t long term as they could do without disruptions at this stage.  But either way, the team look set for the challenge of Derby - and the race for a play-off place is still very much on.

Wolves (4-4-2): Kuszczak, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne, Van La Parra (Henry 52), Price, McDonald (Edwards 88), Sako, Afobe, Dicko. Substitutes not used: McCarey (GK), Evans, Doyle, Ebanks-Landell, Hause.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Westwood, Vermijl, Lees, Dielna, Helan, Maguire, McGugan, Hutchinson, Maghoma, Nihui, May (Lavery 64).Substitutes not used: Kirkland (GK), Buxton, Mattock, Lee, De Havilland, Melo, Kirkland (gk).

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)  Attendance: 18,686.

Beeb Wolves 3 Sako 18′ (pen) Afobe 55′ Henry 67′  Sheffield Wednesday  0

FT 90 +5  HT 1-0

Wolves kept up their promotion hopes as some clinical finishing saw off a wasteful Sheffield Wednesday side.  Kenny Jackett's team have lost just once in their last seven games and are three

points off the play-off spots with eight games left.  Bakary Sako opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Benik Afobe doubled the lead with a volley off the post after the break.  Substitute

James Henry wrapped up the win with a curler from 20 yards.  But it could have been a different story had Stuart Gray's Owls - who had 20 shots during the game and had more possession - found

the target when on top.  Atdhe Nuhiu and Tom Lees headed wide for Wednesday, and Wolves goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak also saved well from Jacques Maghoma.  The hosts went ahead when Nouha Dicko was tripped by Claude Dielna and Sako scored from the spot.  After the break Afobe doubled the lead with his 27th goal of the season, crashing in a fine cross from Matt Doherty. It was three when Henry cut inside to curl into the top corner, but Wolves' night ended on a sour note when defender Richard Stearman went down injured and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett:

"It's a crucial win. We need a great run and if we can find our form then we have an opportunity, it sets up Friday against Derby as a great game.  We'll look forward to it and it's an opportunity for us against one of the sides above us to pull them back a bit more. The gap to Derby in fifth is five points and it's the sort of night you're in the game for and we're looking quickly towards Friday."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:

"I'm disappointed the penalty was given because it was a good tackle.  I've seen it back, we've lost possession, Wolves have broken and the boy Dielna has put a fair tackle in. I don't think he (Dicko) has dived but his momentum took him over his leg.  What has helped is 5,000 Wolves fans appealing for the penalty, I'm disappointed but I can't blame the referee for the next two goals."

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (2) &SUBSTITUTIONS (5)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman (Ebanks-Landell - 74' ) 03 Golbourne 17 van La Parra (Henry - 53' ) 19 Price 11 McDonald (Edwards - 88' ) 10 Sako 40 Dicko 12 Afobe Substitutes 04 Edwards 07 Henry 13 McCarey  14 Evans 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 30 Hause

Sheffield Wednesday

01 Westwood 36 Vermijl 15 Lees 35 Dielna Booked 17 Helan 10 Maguire 37 McGugan Booked 04 Hutchinson (Melo Silva - 77' ) 19 Maghoma 09 Nuhiu 07 May (Lavery - 64' ) Substitutes 02 Buxton

03 Mattock 13 Lavery 20 Lee 26 De Havilland 33 Melo Silva 43 Kirkland

Ref: Simon Hooper Att: 18,687

MATCH STATS 90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield Wednesday

Possession 44% 56%

Shots  12 20

On target  7 3

Corners  3 4

Fouls  6 13

TEAM NEWS

Wolves will be without defenders Matt Doherty (suspended) and Dominic Iorfa (ankle). Carl Ikeme and Tommy Rowe (foot), Nouha Dicko (hamstring) and Scott Golbourne (foot) are also out.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Caolan Lavery could start in place of Will Keane (ankle).  Striker Sergiu Bus (groin), defenders Glenn Loovens (ankle) and Kamil Zayatte (thigh) and midfielder Jose

Semedo (foot) are also doubts.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at Hillsborough in December.  They are unbeaten in the last nine meetings, winning six. Sheffield Wednesday's last win was 3-1 at Molineux in

March 2006. Wolves are unbeaten in the last four meetings at Molineux, winning the last three.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have not won any of their last three games, losing one. Their last win was 1-0 at Cardiff on 28 February.  Wolves have lost only one of their last eight home games in the Championship.

Their only league defeat at Molineux since early December was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday have lost only one of their last five games.  Their only defeat since 21 February was 2-1 against Blackburn at home on 4 March.  Sheffield Wednesday have won their last two

away games - at Millwall and Blackpool.

  

Brighton & Hove Albion  1 Bruno 70'  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 van La Parra 74'

FT 90 +6

HT 0-0

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Amex Stadium Date: Saturday, 14 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Brighton 1 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/14/brighton-1-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves cut the gap to the play-off zone to three points in a deserved draw at struggling Brighton.

Defeat for sixth-placed Brentford at home to Cardiff meant Kenny Jackett’s side are now a win away from the top six with nine games left, albeit with an inferior goal difference.  Bruno Saltor put the Seagulls ahead in the 70th minute after Craig Mackail-Smith had an effort disallowed for offside on 59. But Rajiv Van La Parra will claim the 74th-minute equaliser after his right-wing cross was fumbled into his own net by keeper David Stockdale.

Mackail-Smith sent a free header straight at Tomasz Kuszczak in the second minute, but Wolves could have taken the lead twice on nine minutes when Benik Afobe was foiled by Stockdale then Bakary Sako’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Gordon Greer.  Stockdale denied Wolves at the death when he saved a Sako drive at full length.  Wolves boss Kenny Jackett named an unchanged line-up from the side that drew 2-23 against Watford last week. Lee Evans was recalled to the bench in place of Michael Jacobs, who has joined Blackpool on loan for the rest of the season.  But there was no place in the squad again for Dominic Iorfa.  Brighton made six changes to the team beaten 2-1 at Reading on Tuesday night.  One of those was the axeing of former Wolves utility man Greg Halford, who was replaced by Bruno Saltor.  Former Seagulls keeper Kuszczak was warmly applauded when his name was announced before kick-off.  Brighton dominated possession in the early stages but Wolves came back into the game in the final 15 minutes before half-time.  The Seagulls wasted a glorious chance in the second minute when Mackail-Smith headed straight at Kuszczak from Beram Kayal’s cross from six yards out.  The home side continued to boss the game territorially, but Wolves were presented with two chances to snatch the lead in the ninth minute.  Lewis Dunk slipped and then tugged Van La Parra’s shirt and Afobe was onto the ball in a flash.  But the striker’s shot was smothered by Stockdale, who raced off his line. The loose ball ran to Sako, whose low goalbound drive was hacked off the line by Greer.  Dunk was booked for his troubles when he could have been sent off.  A mix-up between Sako and Danny Batth presented Mackail-Smith with a second opportunity on 16.  But the long-haired former Peterborough striker could only roll the ball wide from a clear sight of goal.  Afobe found himself with a sniff of goal in the 27th minute and forced the first serious save of the game with an angled left-foot effort that had Stockdale scrambling to his left to scoop the ball away.  This signalled Wolves coming much more into the game and Kevin McDonald curled just wide from the edge of the box on 39.  A minute later and against the run of play, Kayal had a low effort blocked by Batth in a crowded box.  Greer became the second player to be booked in the 42nd minute when he held Afobe moments after advantage was allowed when he appeared to drag down James Henry.

Wolves had the first sight of goal of the second period in the 46th minute when Sako burst forward from the middle of the park but could only screw his shot well wide.   But this half was a much more open affair, with the play becoming stretched, a higher tempo and more urgency.  Van La Parra appeared to get away with a trip on Joe Bennett just inside the Wolves penalty area on 58.  

And they had another escape a minute later when Mackail-Smith had an effort ruled out for offside after Kuszczak parried Joao Teixeira’s angled drive.  This was a purple patch for Brighton and Teixeira had another good sight of goal on 63 after Bruno’s cut back but could only flash a rising drive well over.  Wolves brought on Nouha Dicko for Henry in the 64th minute in an attempt to stretch the game even more.  But it was Brighton who took the lead when Bruno let fly with an angled drive from just inside the box after Inigo Calderon’s shot hit Mackail-Smith and bounced out wide to the full-back.  It had actually been Wolves on the break with a quickly-taken free kick from Sako to Doherty but the ball ran on and was gobbled up by Kayal.  The lead lasted just four minutes however as Wolves equalised in bizarre circumstances.  Van La Parra burst down the right and for once produced an early cross which was palmed into the net at the near post by Stockdale.  It looked like an own goal but the Dutchman will no doubt be looking to claim his second goal for Wolves.  Wolves ended the game on a high as Dicko cut the ball back for Sako to unleash a blistering shot that was palmed wide.  Then Batth had two shots blocked from successive corners.  But in the end a draw was a fair result as Wolves still look to make big inroads to the play-off zone with nine games left.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (4)

Brighton & Hove Albion

13 Stockdale 02 Bruno 03 Greer Booked 05 Dunk Booked 30 Bennett 06 Stephens 22 Holla (Lua Lua - 77' ) 14 Calderon 28 Kayal 17 J. Teixeira (Ledesma - 86' ) 12 Mackail-Smith (O'Grady - 75' )

Substitutes 04 Hughes 11 O'Grady 19 Best 25 Lua Lua 31 Walton 32 Ledesma 33 Halford

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty Booked 06 Batth 05 Stearman 30 Hause 11 McDonald 19 Price 17 van La Parra 07 Henry (Dicko - 64' ) 10 Sako 12 Afobe Substitutes 03 Golbourne 04 Edwards 13 McCarey 14

Evans 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 40 Dicko

Ref: Trevor Kettle

Att: 27,019

MATCH STATS - 90mins

Brighton & Hove Albion  Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession       49%  51%

Shots                  22  13

On target             5  5

Corners               1  8

Fouls                  9  15

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:22 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Beram Kayal. 90:00 +4:35 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 90:00 +3:53 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by David Stockdale. 90:00 +1:45 Attempt missed. Dale Stephens (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation. 90:00 +0:42 Chris O'Grady (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90:00 +0:42 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 90:00 +0:03 Attempt missed. Emmanuel Ledesma (Brighton) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Íñigo Calderón. 89:15 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from long range on the left misses to the right from a direct free kick. 88:28 Foul by Bruno (Brighton). 88:28 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 87:18 Attempt blocked. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 86:55 Matt Doherty (Wolves) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 86:42 Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 86:42 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 85:32 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Emmanuel Ledesma replaces João Teixeira. 84:53 Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 84:53 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves). 83:41 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 83:00 Delay in match Dale Stephens (Brighton) because of an injury. 82:00 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 82:00 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolves). 81:31 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 81:06 Delay in match Beram Kayal (Brighton) because of an injury. 80:47 Attempt saved. Beram

Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kazenga Lua Lua. 80:15 Attempt blocked. Dale Stephens (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 79:41 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79:41 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 78:54 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 78:54 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 78:18 Attempt missed. Kazenga Lua Lua (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 76:59 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Kazenga Lua Lua replaces Danny Holla. 76:38 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 76:38 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 75:37 Foul by Chris O'Grady (Brighton). 75:37 Danny Batth (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 75:05 Dale Stephens (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 75:05 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 74:28 Sub, Brighton and Hove Albion. Chris O'Grady replaces Craig Mackail-Smith. 73:45 Goal scored

Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Richard Stearman. 69:50 Goal scored Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Bruno (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. 69:48 Attempt blocked. Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 69:28 Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:28 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 69:10 Foul by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton). 69:10 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 68:26 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Danny Holla. 63:28 Lewis Dunk (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 63:28 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolves). 63:07 Sub, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nouha Dicko replaces James Henry. 62:23 Attempt missed. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Bruno. 60:56 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 59:39 Delay in match Danny Batth (Wolves) because of an injury. 58:46 Attempt blocked. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 58:05 Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. João Teixeira tries a through ball, but Craig Mackail-Smith is caught offside. 58:04 Attempt saved. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bruno. 55:31 Attempt missed. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide

to the right. Assisted by João Teixeira. 54:51 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe is caught offside. 54:13 Attempt missed. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Mackail-Smith. 52:41 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 51:29 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Gordon Greer. 49:19 Attempt blocked. Beram Kayal (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by João Teixeira. 45:57 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Benik Afobe. 45:00 Second Half begins Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.

45:00 +1:17 Half time First Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. 45:00 +1:04 Attempt missed. Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by João Teixeira. 44:11 Beram Kayal (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 44:11 Foul by Bakary Sako (Wolves). 42:57 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner. 42:11 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Joe Bennett. 41:35 Gordon Greer (Brighton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 41:14 Foul by Gordon Greer (Brighton). 41:14 Benik Afobe (Wolves) wins a free kick on the left wing. 39:19 Attempt blocked. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dale Stephens. 38:51 Attempt blocked. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Benik Afobe with a headed pass. 38:19 Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jack Price. 35:59 Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. David Stockdale tries a through ball, but Craig Mackail-Smith is caught offside. 35:19 Attempt saved. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by João Teixeira with a through ball. 34:16 Attempt blocked. Matt Doherty (Wolves) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bakary Sako. 31:57 Attempt saved. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Henry. 30:11 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 30:11 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick on the right wing. 26:43 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by David Stockdale. 26:42 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kortney Hause. 23:13 Attempt missed. Dale Stephens (Brighton) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation. 23:11 Attempt missed. Gordon Greer (Brighton) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Danny Holla following a set piece situation. 22:52 Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 22:52 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolves). 20:45 Bruno (Brighton) wins a free kick on the right wing. 20:45 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolves). 18:56 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 18:26 Delay in match Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) because of an injury. 17:51 João Teixeira (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 17:51 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolves). 15:40 Attempt missed. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. 14:11 Beram Kayal (Brighton) wins a free kick on the left wing. 14:11 Foul by Jack Price (Wolves). 13:27 Foul by Danny Holla (Brighton). 13:27 Kevin McDonald (Wolves) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 11:28 Corner, Brighton and Hove

Albion. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 10:09 Joe Bennett (Brighton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10:09 Foul by Rajiv van La Parra (Wolves). 9:30 Lewis Dunk (Brighton) is shown the yellow card for hand ball. 9:10 Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton). 9:10 Matt Doherty (Wolves) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8:37 Attempt blocked. Bakary Sako (Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 8:33 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolves) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 6:03 Attempt missed. João Teixeira (Brighton) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Beram Kayal. 5:51 Attempt blocked. James Henry (Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 4:09 Íñigo Calderón (Brighton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 4:09 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolves). 1:52 Attempt saved. Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Beram Kayal with a cross. 0:00 First Half begins.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Dale Stephens and striker Craig Mackail-Smith could feature after injuries. Sam Baldock, Andrew Crofts (both knee), Kemy Agustien (thigh) and Solly March

(calf) remain sidelined.

Wolves forward Bakary Sako was sent off for violent conduct in the 2-2 draw against Watford, but video evidence cleared him of any wrongdoing. Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and midfielder Tommy

Rowe (both metatarsals) remain out of contention.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-Head

The earlier meeting this season ended as a 1-1 draw at Molineux in December.  Brighton are unbeaten in the last three meetings, though they have won only one. Wolves' last win was 1-0 at

Molineux in April 2006.  Wolves have won only one of the last 11 meetings at Brighton. Their sole victory there since 1979 was 1-0 in September 2004.

Brighton

Brighton have lost two of their last three games, winning the other. Their only win since 24 February was 2-0 against Derby at home on 3 March.  Brighton have won their last three home games,

against Birmingham, Leeds and Derby.

Wolves

Wolves have lost only one of their last five games. Their only defeat since mid-February was 2-1 at Bournemouth on 3 March. Wolves have lost two of their last three away games, winning the

other. Their only win on the road since 10 February was 1-0 at Cardiff on 28 February.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Afobe 14′ Price 51′ Watford 2 Vydra 30′ Deeney 65′

FT 90 +7 HT 1-1

Cheating For estieri got Sako sent off - pushes Bakary, falls over pretending to be hit, then stays down. Disgusting.and disgraceful

Wolves 2 Watford 2 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/07/wolves-2-watford-2-report-and-pictures/

Determined Wolves produced one of their most stirring performances for some time in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Watford.  In an end-to-end affair that had the feel of a cup tie, Benik Afobe (14) and Jack Price (50) - for his first senior goal - twice deservedly put Wolves ahead.  That was only to be pegged back by ex-Albion loan forward Matej Vydra (14) and former Walsall striker Troy Deeney (65).  But Wolves were more than good enough value for a point and there were plenty of chances at both ends before the injury-time drama.  That saw Watford left-back Tommie Hoban was sent off for a second bookable offence then Bakary Sako saw red for pushing Fernando Forestieri.  Wolves boss Kenny Jackett made two changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.  Price and James Henry were recalled in midfield for Dave Edwards and Nouha Dicko, who both dropped to what was an attacking bench.  There was Kevin Doyle and Michael Jacobs, but no room for Dominic Iorfa or Lee Evans.  Henry was playing in the ‘number 10’ role with Rajiv Van La Parra to his right and Bakary Sako to his left.  Afobe, who made his 100th League appearance in midweek, the lone front man as Jackett ditched the 4-4-2 formation used over the previous six games.  Former Watford goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and on-loan Watford midfielder Adlene Guedioura were facing their old clubs.  But there was no place in the squad for 17-goal top scorer Odion Ighalo, who suffered a hamstring injury in training and didn’t travel.  Wolves started brightly in the spring Molineux sunshine and there was a lively tempo from the home side that they managed to retain all the way through the first half.  There was an early enforced change for the visitors after midfielder Almen Abdi signalled to the bench that he was struggling and he was replaced in the 12th minute by Gianni Munari.   After dominating the play without creating serious chances, the hosts took a deserved lead in simple circumstances.   Afobe made it look all too easy as he latched onto Richard Stearman’s deep free kick, controlled it and look up,  He then dispatched a fierce low shot across keeper Heurelho Gomes for his seventh goal in 11 games for his new club and 26th of the season.  The goal was just what Wolves needed and they maintained their momentum and quickly hunted down the chance to double their lead.  Three minutes after takin the lead, Henry produced a low rasping shot that Gomes was equal to, crouching at his near post.   But after a further period of attacking from Wolves, Watford levelled against the run of play.  There was a suspicion of offside as former Walsall striker Troy Deeney split the defence with a deep pass.  Vydra was onto it in a flash, holding off a challenge before driving home from just outside the box for his 11th goal of the season.  The equaliser didn’t seem to affect Wolves too much and they returned to the attack. Van La Parra was seeing a lot of the ball on the right and seven minutes before the break.  He produced a superb cross that just needed the final touch, but Henry got there too quickly and couldn’t connect properly.  A minute later, Henry was heavily involved again as Wolves went close to taking the lead for a second time.  The former Millwall winger dispossessed Gabrielle Angella and raced goalwards, crossing for Afobe, whose climbing far-post header was tipped over by Gomes.  But Watford showed why they are the highest scorers in all four divisions by looking dangerous on the break.  And that was the case moments before half-time when Vydra got away from Batth from Ben Watson’s pass after the latter was found in space by Craig Cathcart.  But Vydra’s angled shot was thumped straight into the chest of Kuszczak.  If the first half had been memorable - and the crowd seemed to think so with warm applause from all four sides to greet the whistle - then the second was even better.  Wolves managed to retain their fast tempo from the first half and were rewarded with a string of attacks as they looked for that second goal. And it came with their first attempt following the restart.  Price got a heavy touch with what looked like his chest to divert Kortney Hause’s long-range drive into the corner of the net after a corner was cleared.  Then Wolves twice went close to a third goal in two minutes as first Van La Parra with a fierce, angled drive then Henry with a looping header were inches wide.  But Watford weren’t finished by any stretch and Watson crashed a first-time curling shot off the underside of the bar on 56 after a loose ball squirted across the box.  Five minutes later Wolves went desperately close to a third goal as Craig Cathcart slid in to divert Afobe’s cross inches behind with Gomes committed the wrong way.  But Wolves were left to rue their near missed as Watford equalised for a second time - and again it was against the run of play.  A long ball over the top found its way to Deeney, who held off Batth to poke the ball past Kuszczak. Watford hit Wolves again on the break as Munari was presented with an opening on 78 but sent a diving header well wide from Deeney’s cross.  Eight minutes later, Afobe’s deflected shot on the turn from deep in the box was held by Gomes after a pass from Danny Batth.  And on the stroke of the end of normal time, Forestieri sliced high and wide after Vydra found him in space following a poor clearance from Batth.  But the drama wasn’t finished and both teams had a player sent off in the five minutes of time added on.  First Hoban saw red for a second bookable offence for clattering Van La Parra again.  Then Sako reacted to a foul by Forestieri with a push in the chest and the Watford sub lay poleaxed, clutching his face. Wolves players immediately surrounded Forestieri to make their feelings known.  And the home side will hope they can successfully appeal Sako’s dismissal after what looked like a clear case of play-acting from Forestieri, instead of losing their 11-goal top scorer to a three-match ban.  In the end Wolves had to settle for a point, but they were tremendous value for it and they remain in the hunt for a play-off place.

Golden shirt, golden boot? Former Arsenal man Afobe is the leading scorer in the top four divisions with 26 from 41 appearances for MK Dons and Wolves this season.

Wolves and Watford both had a player sent off in injury time in an exciting draw at Molineux.  Tommie Hoban was shown a second yellow for Watford before Bakary Sako was given a straight red after raising his hand to Fernando Forestieri.  Benik Afobe gave Wolves the lead early on before Matej Vydra levelled.  Jack Price restored the home team's advantage just after the break, but Troy

Deeney equalised after showing good strength before the late drama.  The late red cards were out of keeping with a keenly fought match that had seen just two s in the first 90 minutes. Hoban could have few complaints about his sending off for a second bookable offence, but Wolves may feel aggrieved by the red shown to winger Sako after Forestieri reacted theatrically to a push from the Mali international.

The hosts were looking to bounce back after losing at Bournemouth on Tuesday and got their rewards for a bright start. Kevin McDonald had twice tried to play Afobe through on goal before getting the weight of his pass spot at the third time attempt to leave the 22-year-old January signing to slot home.  High-flying Watford went into the match on the back of three successive wins, but struggled to assert themselves in the opening exchanges before equalising against the run of play.  Vydra, who spent last season on loan at Wolves' local rivals West Brom, finished well after being played through by Deeney in the 30th minute.  Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes saved well from Afobe before the break, but may feel he should have done better with the effort that gave Wolves the lead for the second time.  Kortney Hause's shot took a heavy deflection off midfielder Price and the ball squirmed through Gomes's hands.  The Hornets, who would have gone top with a win, knew they could ill-afford to slip up and Ben Watson went close to a rapid equaliser when he rattled the bar from 12 yards out.  The visitors did have their leveller, however, when captain Deeney shrugged off two Wolves defenders before finishing for his 16th goal of the season.  Both teams pushed on in search of a winner without really threatening before Hoban and

Sako were sent off in the dramatic finale.

LINEUP, S (5) & Subs (4)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak 02 Doherty 06 Batth 05 Stearman 30 Hause 11 McDonald  19 Price Booked 17 van La Parra 07 Henry (Doyle - 79' ) 10 Sako Dismissed 12 Afobe Substitutes 03 Golbourne 04 Edwards 13 McCarey 16 Doyle 23 Ebanks-Landell 27 Jacobs 40 Dicko

Watford

01 Gomes 14 Paredes (Motta - 88' ) 15 Cathcart 04 Angella 31 Hoban Dismissed after an earlier booking 05 Guédioura 23 Watson (Forestieri - 62' Booked )08 Tozser 22 Abdi (Munari - 13' ) 09 Deeney 20 Vydra Substitutes 03 Munari 07 Layun 11 Forestieri 18 Pudil

21 Anya 30 Bond 47 Motta

Ref: Brendan Malone

Att: 23,146

MATCH STATS

90mins

Wolverhampton Wanderers   Watford

Possession           51%   49%

Shots                     16    11

On target  6 4

Corners  5 1

Fouls  8 13

MATCH STATS 45mins 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers Watford

Possession              52% 48%

52%Shots                6       3

On target                 3       3

Corners                   2       1

Fouls                       5       6

Wolves expect to name an unchanged squad despite losing 2-1 to Bournemouth on Tuesday. Keeper Carl Ikeme and winger Tommy Rowe are out with a broken metatarsal.

Captain Sam Ricketts has struggled to break into the squad and is helping boss Kenny Jackett with coaching.

Watford defender Joel Ekstrand and top-scorer Odion Ighalo (both hamstring) will undergo tests.

Hornets midfielder Sean Murray is out with a knee injury.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-Head

Wolves won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.  Watford have won only one of the last five meetings. Their only win since 2008 was 2-1 at Vicarage Road in

November 2012.  Watford have won only one of the last 16 meetings at Molineux. Their only win there since 1983 was 2-1 in the Championship in August 2007.

Wolves

Wolves' 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Tuesday ended a three-game winning run. Wolves have lost only one of their last seven home games in the Championship. Their only league defeat at

Molineux since early December was 2-1 against Reading on 7 February.

Watford

Watford have won six of their last seven games, losing the other. Their only defeat since January was 3-0 against Norwich at home on 21 February.  Watford have won their last three away games.

Their last defeat on the road was 2-0 at Bournemouth on 30 January.

Bournemouth  2 Kermorgant 10', 49'  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Afobe 39'

FT 90 +6 HT 1-1

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Venue: Goldsands Stadium Date: Tuesday, 3 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT on the BBC Sport website

Bournemouth 2 Wolves 1 - Report and pictures http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/03/03/bournemouth-2-wolves-1-report-and-pictures/

Wolves were blown apart by the seaside as promotion rivals Bournemouth took the wind out of their promotion sails tonight.  A double from burly striker Yann Kermogant which sandwiched a fine reply from Benik Afobe six minutes before the break was enough to end Wolves’ hopes of a fourth straight win.  And they could have few complaints. Apart from the 15 minutes before half-time, Wolves were largely second best to a slicker Bournemouth outfit, Afobe’s equaliser their only serious attempt on goal throughout.  Boss Kenny Jackett made two changes to the side that beat Cardiff 1-0 on Saturday as Matt Doherty and Nouha Dicko were recalled in place of Dominic Iorfa and Jack Price, which saw Rajiv Van La Parra switch from up front to wide right.  

Doherty got his reward to return at right back after a solid half an hour at Cardiff when he replaced Iorfa, who looked like being sent off, while Kevin Doyle was back on the bench following the birth of his daughter Adrianna on Saturday night. Wolves were making their first trip to Bournemouth since September 1998 and were chasing a slice of history - their first ever away league win there, albeit from only their third trip. And it was soon looking like one they weren’t going to achieve after falling behind in the 10th minute after the hosts settled much better. Yann Kermorgant punished poor marking from Danny Batth and Dave Edwards, who seemed to leave him to each other as he hooked home Callum Wilson’s low cross from the corner of the six-yard box after Richard Stearman had gone to close down the £3m former Wolves target in the corner.  It was the first goal conceded by Wolves in 303 minutes since Lewis Grabban struck Norwich’s second in the 2-0 defeat on February 14.  And with target man Kermorgant and Wolves old boy Andrew Surman pulling the strings and a nervousness in possession from the men in white, it looked like it was going to be a long night as the visitors couldn’t get going.  The Cherries looked much the more comfortable side on the ball on a perfect surface, and Wolves were continually let down by their passing, giving it away carelessly far too often as they struggled to build anything going forwards.  Bakary Sako was forced to come infield to receive the ball, but when he did get on it, he was crowded out by the Cherries’ compact midfield as the hosts dominated the middle of the park.  With their own carelessness forcing them to defend for long periods, Wolves didn’t break with any purpose until the 28th minute.  But when they did, Steve Cook cleared as Benik Afobe tried to connect with Dicko’s left-wing cross after Van La Parra surged forward through the middle.  Instead, Bournemouth returned to the attack and Harry Arter’s shot was blocked by Kevin McDonald for a fruitless corner.  There was a rare break by Wolves in the 34th minute when Afobe showed a clean pair of heels to Tommy Elphick and crossed but Cook produced a diving header to nod it away from Dicko.  But five minutes later, Wolves levelled against the run of play with a well crafted goal.  McDonald produced a peach of a pass to split the defence to spot the run of Afobe through the middle and the former Arsenal youngster took a touch before calmly drawing keeper Artur Boruc and sidefooting home with his left foot.  The goal - Afobe’s sixth in 10 games for the club and 25th of the season - brought Wolves belatedly into the game and the 22-year-old produced some dazzling footwork to work another opening a minute before the break only to see his low shot smothered by Artur Boruc.  There was still time for McDonald to run 40 yards unchallenged before bending his shot inches wide as Wolves ended the first half on a high.

But if they didn’t want the half-time whistle to come, they couldn’t have made a worse start to the second period.  Stearman slid in rashly on Wilson as he shot and referee James Linington awarded a penalty, the only doubt being if it was inside the area.  The Wolves defender was promptly booked and Kermorgant stepped up to sidefoot home his second of the night, the power of his shot just beating Tonmasz Kuszczak, who guessed the right way. But much like the equaliser brought a big improvement in Wolves, so another Bournemouth goal took them away from the visitors.  Kuszczak punched away Arter’s viciously inswinging corner from under his own bar then Wilson blazed over after getting a yard on Stearman as the hosts looked to stretch their lead. Bournemouth continued to look the more likely scorers and Marc Pugh’s drive was blocked off the line by Stearman with Kuszczak beaten in the 68th minute.  Wolves struggled to get Dicko into the game all match, and it was little surprise when he made way for Doyle in the 75th minute.  The goalmouth action was more likely at the other end however and Wilson, driven wide by Batth, drove a few feet wide from a reducing angle on 81.  In a desperate bid to drag Wolves back into the game, Sako tried the spectacular seven minutes from time but his 35-yard free kick floated into the top few rows of the stand.  And despite several aerial raids at the death, Wolves never really looked like hitting back.  They will look to be much better when they play another team above them, Watford, on Saturday.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (6) & SUBS (4)

AFC Bournemouth

31 Boruc, 02 Francis Booked, 05 Elphick, 03 Cook Booked, 11 Daniels, 30 Ritchie (Smith - 83' ), 06 Surman, 08 Arter, 07 Pugh Booked (Ward - 91' ), 18 Kermorgant (Pitman - 91' Booked ), 13 Wilson, Substitutes 01 Camp, 09 Rantie,10 Pitman,15 Smith,16 MacDonald

20 Fraser, 22 Ward

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29 Kuszczak, 02 Doherty Booked, 06 Batth, 05 Stearman Booked, 30 Hause, 17 van La Parra, 04 Edwards, 11 McDonald, 10 Sako,

12 Afobe, 40 Dicko (Doyle - 75' ), Substitutes 03 Golbourne, 07 Henry, 13 McCarey, 16 Doyle, 19 Price, 23 Ebanks-Landell, 33 Iorfa

Ref: James Linington Att: 9,851

MATCH STATS

90mins

AFC Bournemouth Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession 53% 47%

Shots 12 4

On target 4 2

Corners 7 1

Fouls 10 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:18 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick on the right wing. 90:00 +4:18 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 90:00 +3:21 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bakary Sako tries a through ball, but Kevin Doyle is caught offside. 90:00 +2:51 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card. 90:00 +2:40 Brett Pitman (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card. 90:00 +1:46 Tommy Elphick (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90:00 +1:46 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 90:00 +0:55 Sub,  Bournemouth. Elliott Ward replaces Marc Pugh. 90:00 +0:15 Sub,  Bournemouth. Brett Pitman replaces Yann Kermorgant. 89:13 Foul by Adam Smith (Bournemouth). 89:13 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 88:22 Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth). 88:22 Rajiv van La Parra (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing. 87:33 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 87:33 Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:20 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86:20 Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 85:53 Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card. 84:19 Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick on the right wing. 84:19 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers).  82:51  Sub,  Bournemouth. Adam Smith replaces Matt Ritchie. 82:17 Attempt missed. Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick. 81:40 Foul by Andrew Surman (Bournemouth). 81:40 Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 80:20 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Yann Kermorgant with a through ball. 79:19 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Richard Stearman. 78:34 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 77:27 Delay in match Harry Arter (Bournemouth) because of an injury. 74:41 Sub,  Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kevin Doyle replaces Nouha Dicko. 72:41 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 72:41 Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 70:09 Simon Francis (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 69:59 Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth). 69:59 Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 69:26 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Bakary Sako. 67:02 Attempt blocked. Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the left side of

the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Wilson. 64:58 Tommy Elphick (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64:58 Foul by Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 63:19 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marc Pugh. 56:26 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 56:26 Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55:56 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Yann Kermorgant. 54:08 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 51:53 Foul by Callum Wilson (Bournemouth). 51:53 Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 48:19 Goal scored Bournemouth 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner. 47:43 Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 47:00 Penalty Bournemouth. Callum Wilson draws a foul in the penalty area. 47:00 Penalty conceded by Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) after a foul in the penalty area. 45:00 Second Half begins Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

45mins

AFC Bournemouth Wolverhampton Wanderers

Possession  58% 42%

Shots            7     3

On target      2     2

Corners        4     1

Fouls            2     3

45:00 +1:36 Half time

First Half ends, Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. 45:00 +1:10 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Yann Kermorgant. 45:00 +0:16 Steve Cook (Bournemouth) is shown the

yellow card for a bad foul. 45:00 +0:07 Foul by Steve Cook (Bournemouth). 45:00 +0:07 Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing. 44:33 Attempt missed. Kevin

McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Doherty. 43:24 Attempt saved. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right

footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin McDonald. 42:07 Attempt saved. Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is

saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Matt Ritchie. 39:38 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Matt Doherty. 39:37 Attempt blocked. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from

the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Ritchie. 38:15 Goal scored

Goal! Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1. Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin McDonald.

34:46 Attempt missed. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Marc Pugh following a set piece situation. 34:23 Marc Pugh (Bournemouth)

wins a free kick on the left wing. 34:23 Foul by Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 32:58 Hand ball by Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 31:00 Foul by Yann Kermorgant

(Bournemouth). 31:00 Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 30:11 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 30:09 Attempt blocked. Harry

Arter (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Charlie Daniels. 28:18 Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kortney Hause tries a through ball, but Benik Afobe

is caught offside. 25:32 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Kevin McDonald. 24:38 Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Dave Edwards. 24:36 Attempt blocked. Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) left

footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 21:58 Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21:58 Foul by Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 9:27 Goal scored

Bournemouth 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Yann Kermorgant (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum Wilson

with a cross. 5:00 Attempt missed. Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Harry Arter. 0:00

First Half begins

TEAM NEWS

Bournemouth midfielder Matt Ritchie could return to the side and replace Marc Pugh, who sustained a knock to the knee against Blackburn.  However, Dan Gosling (ankle) is still weeks away from

recovery after suffering a setback in treatment.  Wolves will welcome back striker Kevin Doyle after he missed the 1-0 win at Cardiff for the birth of his daughter.  Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and

midfielder Tommy Rowe (both metatarsal) remain sidelined.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Bournemouth won the earlier meeting this season 2-1 at Molineux in December. The Cherries are unbeaten in the last four meetings in all competitions, winning the last two. Wolves' last win

was 3-1 at home in the old Division Two in December 1989.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth have not won any of their last five games, losing two. Their last win was 3-1 at Wigan on 7 February. The Cherries have lost only one of their last 13 home games in the

Championship. Their only league defeat at home since mid-September was 2-1 against Norwich on 10 January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have won their last three games, scoring nine goals and conceding none.  The West Midlands side have lost only one of their last eight away games in all competitions. Their only defeat

on the road since November was 2-0 at Norwich in the Championship on 14 February.