Wolves ensured the race for the second automatic promotion spot would go to
the wire with a win over Wimbledon at Molineux.
Dave Jones' side lie just a point behind bitter Black Country rivals West Brom
going into the final game of the season, needing a win and having to hope the
Baggies lose or draw at home to Crystal Palace.
The only goal came in the first half when Nathan Blake planted home the header
from a corner for his 11th league goal of the season.
Mohamed Camara showed the first positive sign for Wolves but his cross after a
dash down the left after two minutes sailed over the waiting strikers and out of
play.
The first real chance came in the seventh minute when Shaun Newton latched
onto a wayward defensive pass and slotted it through to Blake - but the
striker's cross-shot was held by goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.
There was a scare at the other end when Patrick Agyemang's right wing cross
was turned in after neat close control by David Connolly in the 16th minute, but
his effort was disallowed for an infringement.
The pendulum swung back in Wolves' favour five minutes later as Camara again
teased his way down the left but his cross to the far post was headed into the
side-netting by Newton.
Two minutes later Wolves did open the scoring, Kevin Cooper's in-swinging
corner found the head of Blake who directed it past Davis from close range.
The precious lead was almost lost instantly as Neal Ardley's low shot from 20
yards looked bound for the corner but Michael Oakes pushed it wide of his right
hand post.
Blake had to come off in the 28th minute to be replaced by Kenny Miller to the
rapturous reception of the Molineux faithful.
Camara, who was having a superb game, almost created a second five minutes
later with a penetrating run and cross which Kenny Cunningham almost sliced into
his own net, but to the Irishman's relief looped just over the crossbar.
Colin Cameron then drilled a shot from the edge of the box just over, again
following a good run from Camara who cut inside and laid the ball back to the
spot.
The left-back almost scored the goal his efforts deserved a minute before the
break when his cross-cum-shot had to be kicked over by Davis as it threatened to
dip under the crossbar.
The second half started with Wolves on the attack and the second goal which
would have eased their nerves was spurned when Cameron and Dean Sturridge got in
each other's way when unmarked following a corner and the final effort trickled
wide.
Trond Andersen had the Dons' first effort after 10 minutes of the second half
but his 20-yarder sailed over Oakes' crossbar after Agyemang had squared the
ball across.
Wolves responded in the 61st minute, Alex Rae sending a raking pass out to
Gunnar Halle and the Norwegian's cross on the run had to be tipped over by
Davis.
The ground erupted seconds later when from the resulting short corner,
Miller's cross was touched in by Sturridge running from right to left, but the
goal was ruled out for offside.
Oakes made a tremendous save in the 74th minute as he flew to his right to
push out a powerful header by Agyemang and keep Wolves in front.
The second goal continued to elude the home side as Sturridge raced onto a
ball over the top and lifted a shot over the onrushing Davis - but saw it
cleared off the line by Darren Holloway.
However it was not to matter, as Blake's solitary strike proved enough to keep
this promotion cliffhanger alive.
Teams:
Wolverhampton (1) 1 Wimbledon (0) 0
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Halle, Lescott, Butler (Pollet 45),
Camara, Newton, Cameron, Rae, Cooper, Blake (Miller 28),
Sturridge.
Subs Not Used: Naylor, Andrews, Murray.
Goals: Blake 23.
Wimbledon: Davis, Holloway, Cunningham, Willmott, Hawkins,
Ardley (McAnuff 38), Francis (Mild 82), Andersen,
Agyemang (Nowland 77), Shipperley, Connolly.
Subs Not Used: Feuer, Leigertwood.
Att: 26,920
Ref: R Furnandiz (Doncaster).
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