Wolves Reserves 1 Newcastle Reserves 2

Wolves’ reserves mirrored the first-team as they produced a sterling second-half performance only to go down in a game marred by drama involving Matt Doherty.

Just 24 hours after Adlene Guedioura broke his leg against Villa, there were fears of another serious injury to a Wolves player with the Irish defender needing oxygen as he was stretchered off after collapsing, causing an 11-minute delay to the game.

But the former Bohemians player had merely suffered breathing difficulties after being winded and was able to go home unaided afterwards, but was set to go for precautionary X-rays today.

In the game, Newcastle made the better start and gained an early reward when they took a sixth minute lead.

Patrick McLaughlin’s low drive from the edge of the box gave goalkeeper Aaron McCarey no chance.

Wolves lacked tempo in the first-half and took a while to get going.

Some of their passing was sloppy, with Nenad Milijas as guilty as anyone. But the Serbia international did provide a superb, deep free-kick in the 33rd minute that saw Danny Batth head powerfully wide.

Newcastle were gradually reduced to hitting Wolves on the break as the hosts worked themselves into the game. But they gave a warning of their danger in the 37th minute when Samuel Ameobi, the younger brother of Toon striker Shola, saw a powerful drive parried by McCarey.

Ameobi was a real handful and also drove inches wide at the end of the half, after Wolves allowed him to bulldoze through unchallenged.

But Wolves were a transformed side after the break, as they took control.

Milijas sent a deflected drive wide before Ashley Hemmings’ towering 50th minute header from Sam Winnall’s corner was nodded off the line by Shane Ferguson.

Geoffrey Mujangi Bia fired straight at goalkeeper Ole Soderberg, while Jake Cassidy missed his kick from point-blank range.

But when Cassidy returned the favour, flicking on McCarey’s kick, the Belgian winger wasted a glorious chance when he dragged a poor effort well wide on 64 minutes.

In an isolated chance for Newcastle, Chris McDermott curled inches wide from 25 yards.

However, Wolves got their richly-deserved equaliser in the 79th minute when substitute James Spray latched onto a mis-hit clearance and raced clear, before drilling a low shot under Soderberg.

But parity lasted just seconds, as Newcastle regained the lead when Airey poked through McCarey’s legs from close range after Wolves failed to clear.

When play eventually resumed after the Doherty incident, an Airey shot was parried by McCarey before Milijas saw an effort deflected inches wide.