Wolves 2-1 Bolton: Craddock and Milijas goals end eight match losing streak for Wolves
Published 17:02 05/12/09 By MirrorFootball
Wolves halted an eight-match run without a win to end their brief stay at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
Jody Craddock made the breakthrough after only three minutes and Nenad Milijas extended their lead in the second half.
Fellow strugglers Bolton pulled a goal back through substitute Johan Elmander with 12 minutes to go but Wolves held out.
With Portsmouth winning, Wolves found themselves at the foot of the table as the match got under way.
However they got off to the best possible start by making the breakthrough in the third minute.
Andy O'Brien was hauled back after a challenge on Kevin Doyle and Milijas swung in the free-kick.
Christophe Berra flicked the ball on and Jody Craddock swept it home from close range for this fourth goal of the season.
Bolton responded and Matt Taylor tried to make a break down the left after 15 minutes.
But he was bundled over by Richard Stearman, which earned the Wolves defender a yellow card.
Wolves almost added a second in the 18th minute when Stearman headed goalwards following a corner from Matt Jarvis.
Stearman thought he had done enough to score but Ricardo Gardner cleared off the line to prevent Bolton going further behind.
Play switched back down the other end and Gary Cahill just failed to get a proper connection after Lee had delivered the corner.
Wolves, though, were playing with renewed confidence after that early goal and winning the majority of possession at this stage of the game.
Bolton were finding it hard to get going but Klasnic tested Marcus Hahnemann from distance in the 26th minute.
Wolves were looking lively with Kevin Doyle and David Edwards especially busy and inventive.
Bolton forced another corner in the 37th minute but Gretar Steinsson saw his effort go wide of the post after Lee's delivery from the left.
However the visitors looked unsure as how to deal with Milijas' set-pieces, which were delivered with both accuracy and pace.
This was testing time for Bolton in their bid to get of trouble after a run of four league games without a win.
Matt Taylor thumped in a 30-yard free-kick in the 42nd minute, only for Hahnemann to take the sting out of his effort with a degree of comfort.
Then Milijas was set up by Doyle but he got a poor touch and skied a shot over the bar.
The game was becoming scrappy as half-time approached and Klasnic cleared the bar with his effort after he had been released by Lee.
Wolves were keen to build on their slim lead and Milijas rattled in a shot in the 46th minute that spun to safety off Gary Cahill.
Bolton, however, stepped up the pace with both Taylor and Cahill in quick succession getting on the end of corners from Lee but failing to take advantage.
Klasnic then worked an opening for himself in the 58th minute but failed to test Hahnemann, sending his effort nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
Wolves again found themselves on the back foot four minutes later but Ricardo Gardner strayed offside and the move broke down.
The home side responded and extended their lead in the 63rd minute with a marvellous goal from Milijas.
The Wolves midfielder latched on to a loose ball, strode forward and lashed a shot beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
It was a stunning strike and Bolton were left reeling after enjoying a decent spell of possession.
They hit back and Tamir Cohen homed in on goal five minutes later but Ward made a crucial block. Then Hahnemann reacted superbly to parry Taylor's close-range effort.
Wolves should have punished Bolton further in the 74th minute but Edwards sent a weak shot into Jaaskelainen's body from a good position.
Four minutes later Bolton pulled a goal back through substitute Johan Elmander and give themselves a glimmer of hope.
The Swedish striker was set up by Klasnic following a corner from Taylor and beat the goalkeeper from close range.
Klasnic should have pulled the sides level in the 81st minute but Hahnemann made a comfortable save and Wolves held out.
