SHOW SPARES AN EARLY BATTH
sees red but leaders fight back for victory
team who are growing with every game. I am very proud of the players, but I am already thinking of our next game against Brentford.”
The Wolves manager had been sent from the dug-out on 18 minutes when a foul by Aden Flint on Diogo Jota had been deemed just outside the box, rather than in it. The resulting free-kick saw Douglas curl his shot against a post.
City went in front early in the second period when Reid fired low beneath the diving body of John Ruddy after a good move involving Josh Brownhill and Jamie Paterson.
But the game turned 11 minutes later when Fielding was rightly sent off for bringing down Matt Doherty and preventing a clear scoring chance.
Barry Douglas took the resulting free-kick and struck it well from 25 yards to beat Luke Steele, who had been sent on to take over from Fielding between the posts.
Wolves then looked the more likely winners, but left it until the final seconds. Marlon Pack fouled Romain Saiss on City’s left and Douglas delivered a perfect ball for Bennett to nod home.
Bennett had been sent on for striker Leo Bonatini when Batth was sent off and emerged the hero, having also played well at the back.
City head coach Johnson said: “It was a disappointing result because we were in complete control of the game until Frank Fielding was sent off.
“In retrospect he probably should have let the lad go round him and score so we kept our man advantage. But that is easy to say. Frankie has been fantastic for us this season and had to make a split-second decision.
“You have to give huge credit to Wolves for the character they showed after going down to ten men. It was very disappointing to lose the game so late, but there was a huge deflection involved so I can’t be too critical of my defenders.
“There’s a feeling of frustration. It was a topsy-turvy game, a rollercoaster that dipped and turned.
“Wolves are a good side and it is going to be very difficult to close a ten-point gap on them. But we will go again against Aston Villa and try to get all three points.
“I don’t think this defeat will affect the spirit in our camp because I have a great set of lads and I have immense faith in them.”