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A standing ovation :roll:
Stoke 2-1 Wolverhampton: FT Report
PA
Wolves found playing in the Coca-Cola Championship just as difficult as in the Premiership today and were 2-1 by Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
The Wolves players argue amongst themselves. (DavidRogers/GettyImages)
Dave Jones' side were relegated from the top flight last season conceding 77 goals and struggled against a Potters front-line today which included former Molineux striker Ade Akinbiyi.
Akinbiyi, who was a £3.25million record signing for Wolves when he joined in 1999, was posing a more dangerous threat as the home team dominated the first half.
Wolves boss David Jones responded to his side's poor first half by bringing on youngster Leon Clarke at half-time for the injured Dean Sturridge, who had not seen much of the ball.
But it was midfielder Colin Cameron who nearly opened the scoring when he surged from deep but had his effort well saved by Ed de Goey.
Tony Pulis' side responded with an attack of their own and a stunning strike from Darel Russell on 55 minutes.
Akinbiyi had an effort blocked but the ball rolled to the 23-year-old on the edge of the area and he drilled low and hard off the post giving Paul Jones no chance.
Wolves' response lacked any real purpose, their attack minutes after the goal only ending in a stifled penalty appeal for a trip on Miller.
But the Potters looked like doubling the lead and had the chance after 70 minutes when Akinbiyi tangled with Mark Clyde in the area when through on goal.
Stoke were awarded a penalty and skipper Clive Clarke confidently sent the ball low past Jones.
Stoke never looked like losing their grip on the game. Akinbiyi was jeered by the away support but the only blot on a fine performance was a needless booking for shirt-pulling with eight minutes remaining.
Gifton Noel-Williams handled with four minutes to go and Miller placed his penalty into the top corner to give Wolves hope, but an equaliser would have been an injustice to Stoke's performance.
Wolves tried to apply pressure in the final moments but could find no way past the Stoke defence.
Akinbiyi was substituted for Chris Greenacre in injury-time and received a standing ovation from the home crowd for his contribution to the three points.
A standing ovation :roll: