Jonathan Douglas and Daryl Murphy put Blues in front in either half but Wolves equalised twice via James Henry and Benik Afobe in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road. Douglas opened the scoring in the 16th minute, Henry levelled seven minutes before the break, prior to Murphy regaining Town’s lead on 54, but Afobe hit back with a header 15 minutes from time.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side against his old club with central defender Christophe Berra facing his former side.

For Wolves, one-time Town loanee Jordan Graham was handed his debut wide on the left of midfield.

Prior to kick-off there was an immaculately observed minute’s silence for former Blues keeper Márton Fülöp, who died aged 32 just over a week ago following a long battle with cancer, and the victims of the Paris attacks.

Cole Skuse struck the game’s first shot of the game well over in the second minute after good work down the left involving Freddie Sears.

There was a scare for the Blues a minute later when Wolves striker Benik Afobe was first to Dominic Iorfa’s ball over the top but stumbled as he took it down and Tommy Smith got back to challenge before Dean Gerken claimed.

Wolves threatened again in the 10th minute when Iorfa made a powerful run into the area but Berra got across to block his shot. The loose ball fell to Graham on the left of the area and Gerken grabbed his effort after a deflection.

James Henry picked up the game’s first yellow card a minute later for a foul on Jonas Knudsen on the Blues’ left but the freekick came to nothing and Wolves broke, Graham sending over a dangerous low cross which Skuse did very well to divert over ahead of Jack Price.

Despite the visitors having had the better of the early chances, the Blues went in front on 16.

A move which started in the centre circle ended with Sears feeding Knudsen on the overlap to his left. The Dane sent over a low cross which Daryl Murphy allowed to pass behind him to Jonathan Douglas, who deftly curled into the corner of the net with the outside of his right boot. It was the Irishman’s second goal in two games and his first at Portman Road.

Brett Pitman wasn’t far away from making it 2-0 on 18 when he blocked Carl Ikeme’s kick and the ball looped a feet feet wide of goal.

As the clock ticked over to 21 Portman Road burst into applause in tribute to Fülöp - 21 was his Town squad number - with the Sir Bobby Robson Stand chanting ‘One Márton Fülöp’.

Having got their noses in front the Blues were looking the more threatening side and on 26 Pitman was inches away from making it 2-0 when he headed Sears’s cross from the left just past Ikeme’s left post.

Pitman went even closer on 32, albeit unintentionally, when a cross from deep on the right looped over Ikeme and bounced off the top of the bar and over.

Three minutes later, a sweeping Town move ended with Sears playing a low ball across the six-yard box from the right but no one was able to add the final touch. Soon after, the former Colchester striker scuffed an effort from distance wide.

The Blues had been well on top having taken the lead but seven minutes before the break the visitors got back on terms.

Graham sent over a corner from the left to the far post, on-loan Newcastle man Mike Williamson stabbed back across the area and James Henry - a Town target during Paul Jewell’s time in charge - turned home from a couple of feet.

Three minutes before the break Smith headed Kevin Bru’s right-sided corner powerfully goalwards but straight at Ikeme. As the half moved into its final scheduled minute, skipper Luke Chambers headed a cross from the left but also to the keeper.

Town will feel they ought to have been ahead at the break after an impressive first half performance.

Having gone in front via a well-worked goal the Blues played some of their best football of the season, keeping possession confidently, passing the ball fluently and carving out one or two chances to increase their lead.

The Wolves equaliser came very much against the run of play and was a very poor goal to concede from a Town perspective.

Six minutes after the restart Murphy hit the first shot of the second half from the edge of the box, the ball deflecting wide for a corner.

Town regained their lead in the 54th minute. Skuse played in Pitman on the right of the area and, as keeper Ikeme came off his line expecting the former Bournemouth man to go for goal, he slid the ball over him but across to Murphy, who nodded in his fourth goal of the season from close range.

Ikeme - in the side as a replacement for the injured Emiliano Martinez - suffered an knock in attempting to get back into his ground but after treatment was OK to carry on.

After Graham had shot over from a promising position on the left of the area, Wolves switched Dave Edwards for Adam Le Fondre on 65 with the visitors.

A minute later Skuse won the ball midway inside the Wolves half before finding Sears, who exchanged passes with Pitman, but the return was just too strong for the one-time West Ham trainee.

Town continued to look the more dangerous side, Murphy sending over another cross from the left on 68 but again beyond his team-mates. Soon after Bru was switched for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the Mauritius international receiving warm applause as he left the field.

Graham looped a freekick from a dangerous position on the right over in the 71st minute with the visitors beginning to have more of the ball in the Town half.

And in the 75th minute they got back on terms. Le Fondre sent over a cross from the right and Afobe planted an unchallenged header past Gerken from a five yards.

The visitors, who had started to get more into the game before the goal although without looking too much of a threat, went close again a minute after scoring, Le Fondre just failing to reach Henry’s cross from the right.

Maitland-Niles went close to making it 3-2 on 79, the on-loan Arsenal man flicking a header from Sears’s cross just wide. At the other end, Henry shot well over after good work on the edge of the box from Le Fondre.

As the game moved into its final scheduled 10 minutes Wolves were looking much more dangerous than earlier in the game. On 82 Le Fondre hit a shot straight at Gerken.

Two minutes later, Sears and Murphy carved out a chance for Douglas inside the area but Ikeme plucked the Irishman’s shot out of the air.

Kevin McDonald blazed over in the 87th minute with the visitors creating most of the better late chances. Two minutes later, Ikeme did well to punch away Sears’s cross ahead of Murphy and Chambers.

As the game moved into four minutes of injury time Skuse saw a powerful effort blocked, then Douglas hit a strike which deflected through to Ikeme.

In injury time Chambers was yellow-carded for a foul on Ojo, then Le Fondre was joined him in the book for a cynical trip on Sears as Town broke. Town were unable to make anything of the freekick and soon after referee Gavin Ward blew his final whistle.

Town will feel they have dropped two points having been on top and comfortable twice in the game before conceding two bad goals.

Having put in one of their best performances of the season in the first half, the Blues weren’t quite so impressive after the break, however, once Pitman had superbly created Murphy’s goal they should have gone on to claim all three points but allowed the game to drift and Wolves to get back on terms for a second time.

Town remain 10th in the table - now only three points off the play-offs - ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Charlton, who climbed to fifth-bottom after a 1-0 away win at Birmingham.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru (Maitland-Niles 69), Douglas, Sears, Murphy. Pitman. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Parr, Coke, Oar, Touré.

Wolves: Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth (c), Williamson, Golbourne, McDonald, Price, Henry, Edwards (Le Fondre 65), Graham (Ojo 78), Afobe. Unused: Flatt, Doherty, Coady, Byrne, Holt. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey). Att: 19,227 (Wolves: 996).

Photo: Action Images

thebeat added 12:42 - Nov 22 essex57 any other keeper out there would have collected that corner with ease yesterday. He had all the time in the world and no players around him. Im 5'7 and i could have caught it How many points does Gerken have to cost us for Mick to open his eyes?
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blueboy1981 added 12:53 - Nov 22 ArnieM .......... any ball in that box is for the Goalkeeper to put his name to - Gerken, for whatever reason ,doesn't seem to be able to do that - thus leaving defenders in limbo. Never has commanded his area - shame, because he has other abilities which are up to the required standard.
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Keaneish added 14:26 - Nov 22 We win and no-one says a word. We don't win and the blame and finger pointing starts. Why on earth is Chambers being targeted this week? The goals were the fault of Smith and either Berra or Knudsen. Whether smith is playing left or right side makes little difference if he isn't strong enough or able to pick up his man. Warktheline - you don't seem to understand my point and my fingers are cold so I'll refrain from getting into a dispute on Cahill/Terry. How short some football fans memories are. Cahill and Terry have played for several years together as the best centre half pairing in the country both as right footers. They're not anymore granted but they have been. Irrespective of 'class' players can play together at the back if they kick with the same foot. It's been tried and tested so in my opinion, this theory that were unbalanced is nonsense. Such a boring chat.

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AJD1111 added 15:18 - Nov 22 All in all thought that was some of the best attacking build up play we've had in a long time. Douglas has really come in to form after gaining fitness and added a lot yesterday, skuse had spells where he sured things up nicely too. Only negatives yesterday was Gerken didn't convincingly deal with anything that came his way, two goals out of nowhere for Wolves that should have been dealt with a bit better. Knudsen in the first half showed his positioning has a lot left to be desired but had a decent second half. It was a positive showing in my opinion just left frustrated after dropping two points to a team who I can't see being near the top 6. Good to be playing a lot better though!

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Orraman added 15:33 - Nov 22 Yet another Gerken horror show. How many more points is this man going to cost us. The current top five are pulling away and if we could add on the points he has already cost us we could be pulling away with them. Will this idiot McCarthy ever admit he is wrong just for once in his life. The rest of the squad must be gutted seeing all their hard work being thrown away week after week.

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essex57 added 15:40 - Nov 22 Not at all looking for excuses same old same old blue boy you don't like it when somebody puts up a different opinion to yours then out comes the book of Sarcasm I shall be my usual optimistic self toddling off to Charlton next sat. Diss boy my point about midfield injuries is without Bish creating and Hyam Holding the ball it's hard for the defence to pass the ball through midfield and when the attackers loose it its an onslaught on our defence that's why the attackers need to make more of the many chances we create in each and every game.

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essex57 added 15:40 - Nov 22 Not at all looking for excuses same old same old blue boy you don't like it when somebody puts up a different opinion to yours then out comes the book of Sarcasm I shall be my usual optimistic self toddling off to Charlton next sat. Diss boy my point about midfield injuries is without Bish creating and Hyam Holding the ball it's hard for the defence to pass the ball through midfield and when the attackers loose it its an onslaught on our defence that's why the attackers need to make more of the many chances we create in each and every game.

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blueboy1981 added 15:59 - Nov 22 essex57 ....... another lame post from you. Quite the reverse to your claims, I welcome other opinions to my own - what I do dislike is the fact that 'certain people' will trawl, and find, an excuse for EVERY single thing the Club serves up. Blind faith it is - and you make it blatantly obvious you are one of those people. Maybe you also need to look up the meaning of sarcasm in the book you mention, before posting. Just keep being happy ........ with everything you get.

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warktheline added 16:33 - Nov 22 Keanish, the Chambers issue has been ongoing for ever and a day! By the way, most posts I read on forum comment week in week out. I think your find the people shouting last week for 'humble pie ', are the ones that have disappeared!
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thebeat added 16:53 - Nov 22 Keaneish ive always found your posts in the past to be very sensible and logical however i disagree on the defence thing. Ive lost count of the number of goals we've conceded down the right hand side of defence over the last 18 months due to Chambers being torn apart or Smith being unable to cope down his right side. And now we have a very average left back aswell our defence is now very weak. Jonny Parr must be the most wasted player ever to be at the club. Its shocking man management in my opinion. He could score a hat-trick while we keep a clean sheet and he'd still get dropped because his face doesnt fit.

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oldegold added 16:56 - Nov 22 My message to wartheline is to ignore our in house clown Keanish's comments as he clearly can't separate the wheat from the chaff as far as footballing matters go.His adhesion to all things MM is quite baffling but typical of him.
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essex57 added 18:59 - Nov 22 Sarcasm = a mocking remark to hurt other peoples feelings your full of them when you dont like what other people post .
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itsonlyme added 19:13 - Nov 22 I came away from the game yesterday, just like several home games this season, bitterly disappointed. Disappointed with the result, disappointed with our defence, but more disappointed with our manager who seems reticent to sort out our defensive errors! I have always believed MM would eventually take us up but I am very quickly losing my faith. I have to ask the question - is it time for a change? Why is it everyone else can see the problems but the man that matters, cannot, for some reason. Loyalty in football is rare these days I know, but MM seems to have carried it past its sell by date. I am sick and tired of walking away from PR having seen our defence cost us points for the umpteenth time!

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blueboy1981 added 19:18 - Nov 22 essex57 .......... more bull sh*te - but that's what most have come to expect by now.
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Steelmonkey added 19:22 - Nov 22 When we win and win well whats to moan about. When we throw points down the road and it's blatently obvious why, and nothing changes, it's only natural to state the "bleedin" obvious. I don't look at games through rose tinted specs. If MM won't make changes then it's because he has not got enough faith in the fringe players to alter anything. Which boils down to him in holding onto them. If he has no money from ME on the other hand to throw at replacements, that's all he can do - get second bests in as cover.

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essex57 added 19:24 - Nov 22 Point proven.
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blueboy1981 added 19:53 - Nov 22 ...... and yet - even more. Goodnight - 'keep being happy' ....... keep smiling, and enjoy Charlton (why not leave already ? ) The moral of the story is ...... it takes allsorts - and don't we know it ... ???
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MrDiddle added 10:41 - Nov 23 There's a lot of armchair pundits / FIFA 16 players on here who think they know a. How to run a football club and b. How to manage a football team. Those of us that live in the real world and are behind Marcus Evans, Mick McCarthy and the rest of the staff (There's many more of us than there are you) can be thankful that you lot haven't got a chance in hell of doing either. There's a several of you out there that need to pull your heads out of your a***, stop whingeing, stop lynching those of us that believe the club is being run properly and is progressing and start supporting your team. Up the town!

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warktheline added 11:11 - Nov 23 Mrdiddle, where did you buy those rose coloured spectacles!!!!!! Try removing them , and take a closer look at on ,and off field dynamics.
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MrDiddle added 11:25 - Nov 23 Probably from the same place you bought your half empty pint from warktheline!
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chazyt21 added 12:12 - Nov 23 Simone scuffet hes 18 and a really good goqlkeeper would be good to get a decent one as the lasr decent kne we had was fülop
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Seasider added 16:32 - Nov 23 I sit next to a chap who was on Spurs books as a youngster as a goalkeeper;subsequently playing local football. He doesn't rate Gerken as he says a gk should command his 6 yard box at all times,take charge and be vocal.Gerken is none of these.I feel that this opinion is more valid than most on here who have probably not played in goal. Chap on the other side thinks goals were Smiths fault.I say if Gerken had come for both these balls we would probably not ended up conceding both the goals.

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warktheline added 16:45 - Nov 23 Mrdiddle, my pint glass was full up until recently, but unfortunately, from my perspective, the club has come to a grinding halt, but if you, like so many others, are happy with such mediocrity, go knock yourself out!!!!!
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Bluetone added 17:03 - Nov 23 Mr Diddle maybe you should remove your tongue from McCarthy's rectum.
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essex57 added 17:32 - Nov 23 Well said Mr diddle thank god there's more who think like us that Support the town than the dozen or so posters who can't wait for us to lose to prove their point.
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