Wolves 1 Preston 3 - verdict

Things seemed to be going the home sides' way when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake gave the home side a 20th minute lead, following an awful goal kick from keeper Andy Lonergan.

Former Wolves striker Elliott - who hit the bar after the first goal - equalised in the 24th minute then made it 3-1 on 61 minutes.

In between defender Sean St Ledger - the aggressor in Chris Iwelumo's sending off at Deepdale in September - put Alan Irvine's side ahead four minutes before the break.

Coupled with Reading's 4-0 win over Watford, which cut Wolves' lead to four points, their two and a half month strangle hold is looking as precarious as ever.

The patchy performance only served to underline why manager Mick McCarthy is seeking to strengthen his squad in the transfer window.

Wolves welcomed back star winger Michael Kightl,y while there were also rare games for keeper Carl Ikeme and Jason Shackell for the departed Michael Mancienne and the ill Wayne Hennessey, but they couldn't inspire the home side to the sort of performance that we have come to expect from Wolves this season.

The closest Wolves came to a reply was when Iwelumo headed against the bar in the 67th minute.

But it was a hard earned and well deserved win by North End. Burly striker Jon Parkin also had an effort disallowed and fired over, as Wolves defence was sliced apart.

Molineux old boy Elliott punished more slack defending, when he stabbed home after Ikeme flapped at Ross Wallace's cross.

Wolves' hopes were finally dashed in the 74th minute, when an alleged handball from Parkin - which was initially signalled as a penalty - was over-ruled after referee Colin Webster consulted assistant Steven Rushton on the far side.

Earlier, the returning Kightly wasted two decent chances, as Wolves enjoyed their best spell of the game either side of their goal.

But, in truth, they never did enough to win this game and they look a side short on ideas and in need of reinforcements.