Connor riled by ´dubious´ penalty

Angry Wolves manager Terry Connor rued a ‘dubious’ penalty that changed the direction of his team’s game against Bolton Wanderers.

The home side were 1-0 up when Mark Davies fell to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot, though replays have suggested there was minimal contact, if any at all.

Martin Petrov slotted the ball home and Bolton then went on to score three goals in the space of 21 minutes to knock the stuffing out of Wolves.

“For an hour we dominated the game, got in front and then a penalty decision, which I’ve only seen once back, is a dubious decision and that has a big bearing on the game,” he said.

“I don’t think the Bolton lads appealed with any great gusto and the lads are adamant it was a penalty.

“Having come out in the second half in the same vain the penalty decision – which is dubious to say the least – has a massive effect on the game because Bolton weren’t in the game up to that point.”

Wolves had dominated proceedings in the opening hour and Connor is hoping his charges can continue to play like that in the final seven games as they fight for survival.

“It was a terrific performance from the lads in the first hour. Everyone called it a must-win game and I recognise the importance of the game but there is still seven games to go and I’m not giving up any hope until someone tells we can’t do it,” he said.

“People say what they want to say, there’s still 21 points to play for.”

Roger Johnson and Wayne Hennessey became embroiled in an on-field spat from which they both had to be restrained but Connor said the issue has been resolved.

“I don’t know the tactical point they were trying to resolve but I do know it was two players showing determination to get the right result and I spoke to them at half-time,” he said.

“They shook hands and went back out for the second half determined to play with exactly the same passion as the first half.”

Bolton boss Owen Coyle was understandably delighted that his team managed to overcome physical and emotional fatigue to win their third league game in a row, and hailed his players’ ‘true spirit’ after a tough few weeks following Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest.

“These games are all six-pointers because they’re not being played in August or September they’re at the business end of the season and today was a massive three points,” Coyle said.

“For our part that’s nine points from three games and we can’t do anymore than that. We just have to continue we do our business.

“When we did pass and move the ball – which we didn’t do often enough – we made a few half chances ourselves and getting into half-time at 0-0 I was absolutely delighted.

“I felt we started the second half well as (David) Wheater headed just passed the post then (Michael) Kightly scored a great goal. It would have been easy – given the emotion toll the last few weeks have taken – for us to feel sorry for ourselves but what we did was showed our true spirit at the club.”