Wolves are cut down

Wolves were rocked by a controversial penalty winner from James Beattie at Bramall Lane today.

The Sheffield United striker fired home from the spot in the 83rd minute to sentence Wolves to defeat in a game in which they had taken the lead.

Manager Mick McCarthy made the surprise decision to leave this season's goal hero Freddy Eastwood on the bench and give Stephen Elliott a starting role - and the former Sunderland striker repaid that show of faith with the first goal of the game that came in the 23rd minute when Elliott fired home from close range after Blades keeper Paddy Kenny had only been able to parry a shot from Stephen Ward.

Wolves had rode their moments of luck in that first period with Beattie glancing one header onto the bar but produced the more cohesive football to warrant their lead.

But the home side came at them hard after the interval and went all out for muscle when Jon Stead replaced Danny Webber in their front line.

The aerial assault paid dividends with a Blades equaliser in the 53rd minute when Darren Ward got into a mix up with keeper Wayne Hennessey as a Route One service dropped in the box.

Beattie pounced with a brave header and from that moment on Wolves faced a battle to hang onto a point.

Darren Ward nearly gave them the lead from a set piece with a header onto the woodwork but the game swung on an 83rd minute penalty decision which stunned Wolves.

Again another up and under into the box caused panic but Beattie clearly fouled Gary Breen before the defender made the contact which the referee ruled strong enough for the spot kick.

Beattie made no mistake and for all their efforts and with the last ditch introduction of Eastwood, Wolves were to suffer one other telling blow as Stead broke away to slip a third under Hennessey's dive in the dying seconds of added time.

That score line was a cruel reflection on Wolves' contribution to a rousing contest in which they had a terrific performance up front from Andy Keogh although Elliott faded after his first half goal.

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