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Wolves saved by Miller's late goal

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1

David Instone
Tuesday 12 November 2002 01:00 GMT
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Struggling at home against the Albion is never good news around Molineux – even when neighbours West Bromwich are nowhere near town.

Brighton last night went within 15 minutes of an improbable victory until Kenny Miller saved the chronically under-achieving Midlanders.

The Scot got lucky where his team-mates had suffered misfortune as his right-foot volley to Marc Edworthy's cross deflected off the back of his captain, Alex Rae, into the net.

Even so, a third successive draw after three consecutive wins further dented Wolves' promotion hopes. The 11 seasons these clubs have spent apart had done little to undermine Brighton's status as jinx opponents to Wolves. They had lost only one of 14 previous league meetings and made the early running here.

Graham Barrett's turn was followed by a shot narrowly wide and the breakthrough came on the quarter-hour. A through ball by Richard Carpenter put Bobby Zamora clear as Mark Clyde slipped and his left-foot chip over the advancing Matt Murray bore the hallmark of an accomplished finisher.

Having scored his fifth goal of an injury-hit season, Zamora quickly threatened a sixth as he and Barrett dragged shots wide before Gary Hart saw a header superbly saved by Murray.

Brighton, who are bottom of the table, were giving Wolves considerably more trouble than the First Division leaders, Portsmouth, had done five night earlier. Building on the victory against Bradford that had ended their nightmare run of 12 successive defeats, they were quicker to every ball although Wolves were unlucky not to equalise midway through the half.

Ivar Ingimarsson thought he had marked his return in place of the injured Paul Ince with a goal but his header to Mark Kennedy's corner was blocked near the line. The Icelander also got in a follow-up shot which was well saved by the goalkeeper Michel Kuipers.

A crescendo of boos greeted the half-time whistle and the Wolves manager, Dave Jones, clearly had a lot of talking to do before the second half.

Wolves were more up to speed as the game progressed, Kevin Cooper going close before Rae's shot was pushed aside by the heroic Kuipers, who somehow also dealt with Miller's effort from the rebound.

It looked like being the keeper's evening when he also brilliantly denied Dean Sturridge following a thrilling run. Then came Miller's strike and Wolves had managed to salvage a point which it was beginning to look would be beyond them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Murray; Edworthy, Clyde, Lescott, Irwin; Cooper (Newton, 70), Ingimarsson (Andrews, 70), Rae, Kennedy; Sturridge, Miller. Substitutes not used: Oakes, Butler, Naylor.

Brighton and Hove Albion (3-5-2): Kuipers; Pethick, Cullip, Blackwell (Hinshelwood, 85); Watson, Hart, Carpenter, Rodger (Sidwell, 75), Mayo; Zamora, Barrett (Oatway, 75). Substitutes not used: Petterson, Webb.

Referee: S Baines (Derbyshire).

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