By Scott Cooper
March 19 2005

WOLVERHAMPTON Wanderers failed to gain any ground on the Play-Off places with another draw against Stoke City's ten-man defence.

Both sets of fans excellently observed a minutes silence prior to kick off for the late Bill McGarry. The former Wolves boss passed away on Tuesday and his funeral took place prior to the match in South Africa.

The minute silence was very well observed, but it was the last time both sets of fans were united as Stoke City aimed to become just the second side to beat Wolves in eighteen games.

Wolves were unbeaten in ten games prior to the match, but the run of games without defeat looked certain to end as Stoke went into injury time a goal to the good.

The visitors had just one effort which tested 'keeper Michael Oakes during the game and, as sod law would have it, the ball ended up in the back of the net.

It was Wolves Striker Kenny Miller who lost the ball on the halfway line and in an extremely rare attack Stoke worked the ball up the left and Noel-Williams made no mistake to score his fourth goal in five games.

Wolves entered the tunnel at half time wondering how they weren't winning the game as great chances had again gone begging.

Scottish International Kenny Miller was first to miss the target when he should have scored. Secondly came Carl Cort and thirdly came Rob Edwards. All had great chances to score, all failed to hit the back of the net.

Wolves started the second half the brighter but Stoke were firm in their defending. Time and time again Stoke put all their men behind the ball and the unsporting Michael Dubbery and Gerry Taggart both used their experience to gain more time by continually getting injured, holding their head until play was stopped, then holding their ankles.

Ironically however it was in all the injury time that Duberry and Co had created when Wolves levelled the game.

The fourth official put four minutes on the board but Wolves were still unable to find away through the Stoke City defence.

It was that way until the 94th minute, but then the result was to turn. Wayne Thomas handled for the visitors and Lee Naylor had a chance to swing over the resulting free-kick from the left. Michael Oakes caused Stoke confusion after coming forward for the free-kick and Carl Cort, the man Dubbery should have been marking, rammed the ball home from six yards.

Irony eh?