MAT’S GLOSS STINGS BEES Cunha’s extra-time winner books a Black Country derby

MATHEUS CUNHA’S extratime penalty set Molineux dreaming as he booked a Black Country FA Cup showdown.

The Brazilian netted his seventh goal of the season to clinch a fourth-round date with West Brom. Cunha stepped up after Pedro Neto had been upended in the dying seconds of the first half of extra-time as Gary

O’neil’s side clung doggedly to their spot in the competition after twice falling behind.

Wolves old boy Nathan Collins had upset the hosts by scoring on his return to the club before Nelson Semedo levelled before the break.

Neal Maupay restored Brentford’s lead by driving the ball into the net after a home defender inadvertently played the ball into his path. The striker seemed to be standing in an offside position but the goal stood, leading to home boss O’neil rolling the dice by throwing on two attackers in a desperate bid to equalise.

And it took just three minutes for one of them – youngster Nathan Fraser (below) – to level.

That took the game into the additional half-hour and, after Jose Sa had brilliantly diverted sub Shandon Baptiste’s shot onto the foot of the post, Wolves finally grabbed the lead.

Neto worked himself into a dangerous position but was sandwiched between two Brentford defenders, who were adjudged to have brought him down. Cunha, the architect of the first two Wolves goals, was the coolest man in the stadium as he stepped up to fire his club into the next round.

It was as if the game’s gods were frowning on Wolves, who were awaiting the juicy carrot of a Black Country clash with West Brom in the fourth round, and deliberately trying to scupper their plans. And it wasn’t just the fact that they fell one goal behind in the 13th minute that stuck in their craw. It was the fact that a player making his return to Molineux following a £23million move – Collins – who scored it.

Collins was on hand to poke into the net from close range after a Maupay shot had been blocked. But Cunha fashioned the leveller. He spotted Semedo steaming into the area and, when the wing-back’s initial header was well saved by keeper Thomas Strakosha, his momentum allowed him to tap the loose ball into the net from close in.

Seven minutes into the second half, however, the game swung Brentford’s way. Maupay was standing in an offside position but a stray home foot played the ball back towards keeper Jose Sa.

That allowed Maupay to turn and crash a drive into the net. Even Thomas Frank’s players didn’t know if the goal would be given but VAR finally gave it.

Wolves boss O’neil threw on Neto and young striker Fraser as the tie entered its final quarter and the youngster’s goal took the tie into extra time.

And it was Cunha who sent Molineux wild with the winner in extra time as Wolves fans began to dream of a visit to Wembley this season.