Battling Wolves came back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against
10-man Preston in the Coca-Cola Championship match at Molineux.
Chris Lucketti gave Craig Brown's men a dream start when he capitalised on a
Paul Jones mistake with just four minutes on the clock.
Wolves did not learn their lesson against a sprightly North End side and were
duly punished 11 minutes later when David Healy put clear water between the two
sides with a fine finish from a tight angle.
Dave Jones' men gained a foothold into the game when Dickson Etuhu was sent
off for retaliation after 37 minutes following a clash with Kenny Miller.
Although the home side were below-par all evening, Leon Clarke set up a
grandstand finish with a tidy 76th-minute finish on his full league debut.
And Miller was to have the final word with a stunning strike after Shaun
Newton had done all the donkey work with a charging run from deep inside his own
half with 11 minutes remaining.
Ricardo Fuller's absence through injury may have deprived the visitors of
their most potent attacking outlet, but North End were rewarded for an
industrious start when Lucketti opened the scoring before Wolves could draw
breath.
Jones completely misjudged the flight of Healy's teasing cross and the former
Huddersfield man was on hand to slam the ball into the back of the net, with the
Wolves goalkeeper in no man's land.
Home supporters must have thought thought things could not get any worse, but
Healy had other ideas when he compounded their misery with the second goal of
the game shortly afterwards.
Graham Alexander threaded a delightful through-ball to the former Manchester
United striker who surged towards goal before unleashing a fierce snap-shot that
beat the unconvincing Jones at his near post.
Although Preston remained in pole position, Wolves, who began last season's
Premiership campaign with a 5-1 defeat at Blackburn, were handed a major
lifeline when Miller caught Etuhu with an unsightly high challenge.
Instead of keeping his composure, the North End midfielder reacted badly and
lunged for Miller with both hands raised - and referee Paul Armstrong had no
hesitation in showing Etuhu a straight red card.
Lee Naylor replaced Joachim Bjorklund at the break and the change had the
desired effect as Wolves exacted some degree of authority on proceedings - with
Naylor and Miller both bringing the best out of goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.
However, Lonergan was finally beaten after 76 minutes when Colin Cameron's
corner was not dealt with and Clarke was on hand to sweep the ball into the back
of the net from close range.
A stirring comeback was completed three minutes later when Newton found Miller
just inside the Preston penalty area.
The Scotland international timed his run to perfection and hit a stinging
drive which rattled into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Teams
Wolverhampton (0) 2 Preston (2) 2
Wolverhampton Jones, Clyde, Craddock, Bjorklund (Naylor 46),
Edwards (Cooper 62), Newton, Ince, Olofinjana,
Kennedy (Cameron 14), Clarke, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Andrews.
Booked: Miller.
Goals: Clarke 76, Miller 79.
Preston Lonergan, Mawene, Lucketti, Davis (McCormack 65),
Alexander, Skora, O'Neil, Etuhu, Lewis, Healy (Smith 89),
Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Daley, Brown.
Sent Off: Etuhu (37).
Booked: Alexander.
Goals: Lucketti 4, Healy 15.
Att: 26,115
Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).
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