Wolverhampton Wanderers - 2 (Sedgley 15. Pollet 47.)
Crystal Palace - 1 (Martin 64.)

Palace travelled to Molineux to meet highflying Wolves, who are currently trying to consolidate their position in the top six. Despite missing a couple of ex-Palace players they were still able to field two with Kevin Muscat producing a fine game. Both of their goals were fairly soft, but then so was our lone goal – Wolves will have to do better than this if they are to be a serious threat to the Premiership hopefuls.

Following early pressure from Palace it was disappointing to see the side go 1-0 down from a set piece. A corner floated into the box, and under pressure Fraser Digby dropped the ball straight into the path of Steve Sedgley who made no mistake smashing the ball into the back of the net. For the remainder of the first half it was very much end to end stuff, but the home faithful were mumbling into their meat pies that Palace looked very dangerous, and the match was far from over yet. They were well advised in this; Clinton Morrison had already put the ball into the back of the net, but a dubious offside ruling denied the goal to stand. Craig Foster and Hayden Mullins had been breaking down a lot of the Wolves moves before they even reached our back line, and they were certainly going to need much more if they were going to be certain of retaining the three points.

The second half saw Wolves score a second, once again from a corner. This time Andy Sinton took the kick, and in a goalmouth scramble the ball came off the back of Ludovic Pollet and went straight into the back of the net.

At 2-0 down the fight seemed to be taken out of Palace's forward moves, and for the next few minutes it was all one-way traffic. Ade Akinbiyi should have scored, his shot going just over the top, and then Sinton produced a free kick screamer that also disappeared over the top. To equal out the offside goals Michael Branch managed to once again put the ball in the back of the net, only for the assistant referee (linesman) to rule no goal.

Just when it looked as if the Molineux crowd could relax a long kick up field from Fraser sailed all the way to his opposite number, Michael Oakes. Inexplicably he fumbled the ball, and Andrew Martin was on hand to breathe new life into our cause. He simply had to roll the ball into the back of the unguarded net.

Palace did not really push on from there though. A few half chances really never came to anything, and the only action of note was when Akinbiyi saw his shot cleared off the line by Andy Linighan.

Palace went home with nothing to show for the game, other than cries of Well done. It is points though that we need rather than the plaudits, and Steve will be looking for an improved showing next week against Sheffield United.

Colin Pryce

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Michael Oakes, Kevin Muscat, Ludovic Pollet, Keith Curle, Lee Naylor, Darren Bazeley, Neil Emblen, Steve Sedgley, Andy Sinton, Ade Akinbiyi, Michael Branch.

Substitutes not used: Carl Robinson, Steve Corica, Haavard Flo, Aaron Lescott, Mike Stowell.

Crystal Palace: Fraser Digby, Jamie Smith, Fan Zhiyi, Andy Linighan, Dean Austin (Nick Rizzo 82), Wayne Carlisle, Craig Foster, Hayden Mullins, Simon Rodger, Clinton Morrison, Andrew Martin.

Substitutes not used: Steve Mautone, David Woozley, James Hibburt, Chris Sharpling.

Attendance: 20,756

Referee: Mr T Jones (Barrow-In-Furness).