Wolves V B'ham...... (5)

Wolves 1-1 Birmingham

Jerome scored within minutes of coming on at half-time
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's equaliser earned league leaders Wolves a point against second-placed rivals Birmingham City.

The visitors had the best of the first half, with only Richard Stearman's superbly-timed clearance preventing Marcus Bent putting Birmingham ahead.

Stearman let in Cameron Jerome to score minutes after coming on at half-time.

Ebanks-Blake scored from Stephen Ward's cross before Blues defender Liam Ridgewell had a potential winner ruled out for handball in a frantic finish.

Ebanks-Blake's 12th goal of the season keeps Wolves six points clear of Blues at the top of the Championship table.

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Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:

"First half it was fairly even with lots of chances, but maybe they just shaded it.

"Second half, it was a poor goal for us to concede and they had the better of it I thought for 10 minutes or so.

"Once we recovered we started playing and I think we ended up the stronger side and the most likely winner."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish:

"I'm disappointed we didn't get three points. The way we played in the first half, especially.

"We get in front and could have been more in front by that time, and that left Wolves a lifeline."

"It's great to come here and not lose, that's the best we've played away all season, especially in the first half."

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Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Mancienne, Ward, Kightly, Henry, Jones (Edwards 72), Gray (Keogh 56), Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo (Vokes 62). Subs Not Used: Higgs, Collins.

Booked: Iwelumo, Stearman.

Goals: Ebanks-Blake 74.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Hunt (Nafti 45), Jaidi, Ridgewell, Queudrue, McFadden, Carsley, Quashie, Murphy, Phillips (Jerome 46), Bent (Owusu-Abeyie 90). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Agustien.

Booked: Quashie, Carsley, Nafti, Jerome.

Goals: Jerome 48.

Att: 26,329

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).

Can't keep a good man down...