Wolves 4 Colchester 2 - match report

Michael Jacobs after 50 seconds, Dave Edwards (26) and James Henry (43) seemingly gave the home an unassailable platform.

But Alex Gilbey (57) and David Wright (72) reduced the arrears before Freddie Sears hit the inside of the post to give them an unexpected scare, only for substitute Nouha Dicko to provide massive relief around Molineux with almost the last kick.

Brentford's 3-1 defeat at Rotherham and Leyton Orient's 1-1 draw against Oldham were comforting sights as Wolves survived.

The visitors' turnaround came after Wolves enjoyed just about the most comfortable halves of the season as they coasted to a 3-0 lead at the interval.

The ease in which they were allowed to attack Colchester and create chances almost at will was on a par with the first 45 minutes against Tranmere at home and Swindon away as just about every player seemed right at the top of their game.

But the arrival of Clinton Morrison and Freddie Sears 10 minutes after the break inspired an unlikely turnaround which left Jackett's side hanging on before substitute Dicko struck with almost the last kick.

Head coach Jackett made one change to the side that won 2-0 at Sheffield United on Saturday, with the return of captain Sam Ricketts for injured right-back Matt Doherty.

Wolves kicked off attacking the Stan Cullis Stand end and were in front with the first attack of the game after just 50 seconds.

It was a similar goal to Saturday's opener as Edwards ran in front of the keeper to deceive him as Jacobs swept in a cross that crept in at the far post.

The move came when the inspired Scott Golbourne found James Henry from a throw-in and he passed it back to Jacobs, still out on the left wing.

Lee Evans started and finished the next move as Wolves went within inches of doubling their lead in the eighth minute.

Evans put through Jacobs whose shot was saved by keeper Sam Walker and Evans then sidefooted the rebound a foot over the unguarded goal.

Colchester broke to force the next opening and Dominic Vose's rising effort from 25 yards required Carl Ikeme to tip over, the chance coming after Kevin McDonald's pass hit referee Andy Woolmer.

Ten minutes later, Wolves made it 2-0 when Edwards ruthlessly punished a woeful backpass from Ryan Dickson, the midfielder rounding Walker before slotting left-footed into an empty net for his second successive goal.

Leon Clarke then missed two fine chances with his head on 31 and 39 minutes as Wolves threatened to run riot.

First he headed McDonald's chip too close to Walker and the keeper smothered from point-blank range.

Then he tried to pick his spot in the corner when Henry picked him out unmarked peeling off a defender six yards out only to see the ball drift wide with Walker at full stretch.

Wolves were now in rampant mood and Jacobs showed blurring footwork to dance through on 40 and square to Clarke when he could have gone for goal only to see Tom Eastman get a toe in to clear.

But the third goal Wolves were threatening with increasing menace duly arrived three minutes later when Henry tapped home into an empty net after Walker blocked Clarke's shot when Jacobs sent him racing away in the inside right channel.

There was still time for Edwards to slice wide after Henry crossed in the first-half time added on and Colchester were just relieved to hear the half-time whistle without further punishment.

Wolves soon returned to the attack however, with first Jacobs firing wide from the edge of the box following a jinking run at speed on 51, then Edwards lobbing wide after McDonald's chip sent him galloping through the middle.

That was the last piece of action for Edwards, who was replaced by Jack Price on 53.

Colchester made a double swap two minutes later with the arrival of veteran former Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison and Freddie Sears, for Jabo Ibehre and Craig Eastmond.

And the changes seemed to have the desired effect as the Us pulled one back out of the blue.

Vose had room to cross from the left and expertly picked out Gilbey to head past Ikeme from six yards out.

The goal rattled Wolves and shook them from their fluency.

And Colchester seized the initiative to grab a second goal when Wright stabbed into the roof of the net, beating Evans to Sears's cross from the left.

Wolves were suddenly panicking and Sears advanced from the right before unleashing a low drive that beat Ikeme but bounced off the inside of the far post