Pictures from Albion Res 1 Wolves Res 0

Albion's experience narrowly but deservedly saw them take first blood in the mini-Black Country derby before the real thing next month.

A younger Wolves side started brighter but it was Albion who gradually took control as the visitors, who had David Davis sent off for an 86th-minute lunge on Paul Downing, were made to pay for their missed chances.

Sam Winnall was involved as Wolves took the game to their hosts in the early stages.

The livewire striker picked the ball up just inside the Albion half and ran at the home defence before laying it off to Jake Cassidy, who fired wide.

In between, the impressive Joe Mattock fired an early warning shot across Wolves' bows when he drove just wide. Lateef Elford-Alliyu then forced two comfortable diving saves from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

With Albion pressing, it was perhaps little surprise that they opened their account in the 27th minute.

Kemar Roofe unleashed an angled drive that Hennessey had covered, only for it to take a deflection off Sam Mantom to divert it past him.

Albion continued to hold the upper hand and Mattock forced a point-blank stop from Hennessey with a far-post header.

Chances were thin on the ground for much of the second half, although Cassidy saw a header deflected wide.

Winnall curled a 25-yard free kick just wide before Wolves centre-back Michael Ihiekwe forced a fine point-blank stop from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

In an end-to-end finish, Elford-Alliyu hit the outside of the post.