Rotherham 1 Wolves 2 - Report and pictures

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Captain Danny Batth scored the winner as Wolves picked up three valuable points at Rotherham.more

James Henry was also on target, scoring inside five minutes, with Jordan Graham providing both assists at New York Stadium.

Kenny Jackett surprisingly dropped Benik Afobe in favour of Adam Le Fondre but the brave decision was vindicated by the result.

Batth struck on the stroke of half time, nodding home Graham's corner, and in a fairly even encounter Wolves defended doggedly and were good value for their hard-earned victory.

When the team sheets came in it was a big surprise to see Afobe's name on the bench. Jackett made two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with MK Dons, with Ethan Ebanks-Landell replacing the departed Mike Williamson.

Conditions were blustery to say the last but Wolves started magnificently and took the lead just five minutes in.

David Edwards slipped a pass through to Graham whose left-wing cross took a bounce and was sent into the corner by a controlled Henry header.

The lead was almost doubled soon after when Batth got on the end of Graham's corner and forced a fine fingertip save from Lee Camp.

It was all Wolves but the hosts soon came into the game, with Newell's cross deflected towards the near post where Ikeme saved, and then Lee Frecklington nodding over the bar after a nice move from the home side.

An equaliser looked likely and it duly arrived when, after Ebanks-Landell blocked a goalbound shot, Wolves to clear and Harry Toffolo's effort was glanced in by Newell.

David Edwards flashed a decent effort at Camp and then McDonald drove across goal and wide as Wolves responded.

Frecklington whistled a 20-yard volley past the sprawling Ikeme's right-hand post and then Henry's dangerous free kick was turned behind with Batth lurking in what was becoming an entertaining encounter.

And then on the stroke of half time Wolves edged back in front when Batth jumped highest to send another pinpoint Graham delivery, this time from a corner, past Camp.

Wolves began the second half as they ended the first and after magnificent work from Henry, Le Fondre nodded not too far wide from close range.

But Rotherham, looking to win their third successive game, were causing Wolves problems at the back.

They should have equalised when Toffolo crossed low for the unmarked Grant Ward, but he fired over from close range as Wolves were given a let off.

Jonson Clarke-Harris was then a fraction too late when trying to get on the end of Grant Ward's cross, as Wolves lived dangerously.

The same player wasn't far away from another right-wing cross, not long after a Graham corner bounced off Ebanks-Landell and wide.

Afobe replaced the hard-working Le Fondre with 14 minutes left in what was Jackett's first change.

The hosts were probing away and there were a few nervous moments for Wolves, with Ikeme just claiming a loose ball in time, before Conor Coady replaced the injured McDonald with three minutes to go.

Wolves looked the more likely scorers in the closing minutes with Afobe and Iorfa both threatening with jinking runs into the box.

And they were untroubled in three minutes of added time as Jackett's team stoutly saw out the game for a crucial victory.

Rotherham (4-4-2): Camp; Buxton, Broadfoot, Collins, Toffolo; Grant Ward (Barker, 77), Frecklington (c), Smallwood, Newell (Hyam, 57); Clarke-Harris, Danny Ward (Derbyshire, 13). Subs: Collin, Mattock, Richardson, Yates.

Goal: Newell (18)

Wolves (4-2-3-1): Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Ebanks-Landell, Golbourne; McDonald (Coady, 87), Price; Henry, Edwards, Graham (Byrne, 90); Le Fondre (Afobe, 76). Subs: McCarey, Doherty, Wallace, Holt.

Goals: Henry (5), Batth (45).

Attendance: 9,759 (1,752 Wolves fans)