Wolves 0 MK Dons 2 - match report

Wolves started decently but weren't the same after on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford's 14th goal of the season on the half hour and a cracker from Ben Reeves on 55.

The setback, Wolves' third in the league this season and second in a row without scoring, came after they were lost 1-0 at Peterborough two weeks ago and they have now won just two of their last eight games in all competitions.

Wolves had several shots in the first half but apart from James Henry's 10th-minute chip tipped over by keeper David Martin, failed to create any serious chances until the unmarked Dave Edwards blazed over from eight yards in the 64th minute.

Half-time substitute Liam McAlinden had an effort ruled out for offside five minutes later and Henry blazed over nine minutes from time with only Martin to beat.

But Wolves were strangely lacklustre and looked weak, unconvincing and short of ideas going forward, reinforcing the need for more creativity and goals in the January transfer window.

Head coach Kenny Jackett made the one expected change, at wide right with Henry replacing Michael Jacobs, who dropped to the bench.

But the big talking point was the omission of Bjorn Sigurdarson from the entire 18, with striker Liam McAlinden preferred on the bench after his loan at Shrewsbury alongside Jake Cassidy.

McAlinden appeared as a half-time substitute with Jacobs in a double switch which saw the removal of Wolves' top two scorers Leigh Griffiths and Bakary Sako, who were .

There were numerous half chances in a first half that grew increasingly niggly in the final 15 minutes as Wolves fought in vain to work their way back into the game following Bamford's goal.

Dale Jennings had the first opening in the fourth minute with a far-post header from which Carl Ikeme made a comfortable save after Lee Hodson's cross.

Wolves responded a minute later with a 25-yarder from Leigh Griffiths that flew wide.

And the hosts forced the first real save in the 10th minute when Henry's left-footed chip had keeper David Martin tipping the ball over.

Two minutes later a wild, right-footed effort from Bakary Sako sailed well wide after Kevin Doyle laid the ball into his path with his back to goal.

Sako was again the dangerman on 15 and this time he was a little closer, but still off target as he unleashed a fierce drive at the end of a twisting run into the box.

Kevin McDonald was next to try his luck on 20 with a first-time shot from the edge of the box after a one-two with Henry, forcing Martin into a flying save to his left, but the whistle had gone for a foul.

A minute later, Doyle cut inside from the right but his left-foot shot was scuffed and straight at Martin.

McDonald was the first of two Wolves bookings on 22 after he was judged to have hacked down on-loan Villa winger Samir Carruthers.

From the resulting free kick swung in by Ben Reeves, Dean Lewington's header forced a fine save from Ikeme at his near post.

Wolves created another opening on 28 but after dribbling to the line and crossing, Golbourne saw Griffiths completely miss his kick from eight yards.

A minute later, former Wolves midfielder Darren Potter blazed over after Bamford then Reeves teed him up 25 yards out.

But MK Dons had their shooting radar spot on on the half hour as Bamford's diagonal run was superbly spotted by Carruthers, who split the defence for the striker to squeeze a shot across Ikeme and into the far corner of the net for his 14th goal of the season.

Nine minutes later, Sako followed McDonald into the book for leaving Carruthers grounded on the touchline, which sparked an angry exchange between the French winger and Dons boss Karl Robinson.

It almost got worse for Wolves five minutes before the break when Reeves's chip from the edge of the box took a deflection, forcing the back-pedalling Ikeme to tip over.

Wolves made the double switch at half-time but it made little difference as Dons doubled their lead with the first attack.

There seemed little on but it didn't matter to Reeves, who let fly with a tremendous shot from the inside right position that found the top corner, giving Ikeme no chance.

Jennings became the third player to be booked after sending Ricketts flying in the 55th minute and it was his last action as he was replaced by George Baldock seconds later.

Dons remained the more dangerous side and Bamford took advantage of a briefly outnumbered Wolves defence by unleashing a hard low drive that Ikeme saved diving to his left on 58.

Wolves finally produced their first effort of the second period four minutes later when Doyle threaded through McAlinden in his favourite inside left position but his drive flew narrowly wide.

Two minutes later, Dave Edwards should have done far better when from an unmarked position eight yards out, he could only scuff a volley straight at Martin from Henry's cross.

Wolves remained on the attack and McAlinden swept the ball into an unguarded net after Jacobs freed Henry for a cross but the flag had already gone up for offside.

Henry blazed over with only Martin to beat after a promising dribble into the area on 81 before Jackett made a final throw of the dice when he brought on Jake Cassidy for McDonald two minutes from time.

But it was too little, too late to leave Jackett with plenty to ponder as they got off to the worst preparation for six games inside the next 20 days.