By Scott Cooper
March 18 2006

WOLVES closed the gap between themselves and play off occupants Preston North End to one point after a deserved point at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. Kenny Miller cancelled out Bobby Convey's first half strike.

Hungarian International Denis Rosa was the only absentee from the side which devoured Cardiff at Molineux a week ago with 17 year old Mark Davies taking up the roll in the centre of midfield.

After the abysmal performance at home to Reading on Boxing day Wolves and boss Glenn Hoddle were determined to make amends against the champions-elect and that they did, with a superb second half display which could have given Wolves all three points.

Hoddle again went for the 4-4-2 which has suddenly appeared much more effective than any of his 4-3-3's or diamonds with Kenny Miller on the right and the Polish International Thomasz Frankowski and Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere leading the attack.

However the point Wolves won looked a long way away at half time as a Bobby Convey goal had given the home side the lead at the interval.

Despite looking bright in attack Wolves were defensively poor in the first half with only two out of the back four coming out of the half with any credit. Glenn Hoddle replaced the poor Edwards with Maurice Ross at half time but the former England boss could have easily replaced Naylor and probably should have done had an assured left back have been on the bench.

It was Naylor who must take part of the blame for the Reading goal. He first lacked communication with Lescott and got in the centre half's way as he tried to head clear the ball, the mix up left the ball at the feet of Naylor who scuffed two clearances straight to Kitson who squared the ball to Convey who lashed the ball home unmarked at the far post.

Seventeen year old Mark Davies perhaps should have done better when through on goal in the final ten minutes of the half. The England U19 international did all the hard work during a tremendous run which took him into the box but his point blank shot was saved and then cleared off the line by Sonko.

Wolves best passing move of the half allowed Aliadiere to cross the ball only for Frankowski to somehow steer the ball wide when it looked easier to score before Sonko' missed a glorious chance to put the game beyond Wolves, the big centre half heading just wide from Conveys deep cross.

The introduction of Ross in the second half gave Wolves a more assured balance after the break and with the attacking threat remaining Wolves caused the home side many more problems.

Frankowski first watched as two efforts from the edge of the area were blocked before the Polish International seemed to be fouled in the area mid-way through the half, but before the referee could point to the spot the ball found it's way to Miller who smashed the ball home from 15 yards.

Wolves dominated the later stages of the game and Aliadiere had two glorious chances to give Wolves the lead, the first was saved after being put through by the superb Frankowski whilst the Frenchman lashed over from close range following Cort's (on for Miller) clever flick on.

The former Newcastle man himself nearly clinched Wolves the lead in injury time, but his header was directed straight at the Wolves 'keeper following a deep cross from Maurice Ross.

With Preston and Crystal Palace dropping points the play off dream is still on, a win at home to Sheffield Wednesday next week is a must.