City dropped two valuable points by twice allowing Wolverhampton Wanderers to come from behind in an entertaining but ultimately unsatisfactory match at the KC.

Phil Brown cleared the decks and picked a new team, making a total of five changes from the thumping by Manchester United. These included Tom Cairney’s much-anticipated Premier League debut and a hefty strike pairing of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Jozy Altidore. The latter was soon setting up a splendid opening goal for the former, with the Dutchman steering home a shot from the edge of the box.

Wolves nearly equalised several times through their set-pieces, which City struggled to deal with, but at half time the lead was preserved. However, Anthony Gardner miskicked a Ronald Zubar cross into his own net soon after the break to gift the visitors an equaliser.

Stephen Hunt, whose services have been lasciviously courted by Wolves in recent weeks, restored the lead with a well-taken penalty after Altidore was fouled in the box, but Matt Jarvis drove home the equaliser after the Tigers failed miserably to clear their lines several times as Wolves piled on the pressure.

A point each will do each side little good, even though results generally were favourable elsewhere, and it should be regarded as a chance spurned as City now look ahead to the rearranged visit of Chelsea to the Circle on Tuesday night. Match report to come before long.