Wolves 2 Real Betis 3 match analysis and pictures

That they tasted defeat for the first time in six pre-season friendlies was more down to poor defensive errors ruthlessly punished by a team who had beaten Bolton and Huddersfield in the previous five days than being outplayed by a side that finished seventh in La Liga last season.

Wolves led twice through Richard Stearman's fourth-minute header and Leigh Griffiths' fourth goal of pre-season five minutes after the break.

But ball-watching for Salva's equaliser on 15 minutes and mistakes by David Davis and Sam Ricketts allowed Cedrick and Matilla in the 55th and 71st minutes respectively to squeeze the Spaniards home.

It's concerning that Wolves haven't kept a clean sheet in pre-season and have leaked seven goals.

But the feeling is they will improve the more they play together and few of the 7,741 crowd will be too bothered about the result.

The warm applause at the final whistle was earned through a hard-working and enterprising performance from the young side Jackett and Joe Gallen are building.

"It was a good game and a good workout," said Jackett.

"But I couldn't help being slightly disappointed because in the second half there was a win for us and we didn't take the opportunity.

"It was probably just some poor game-management but there were plenty of good things to base the season on.

"There was a reasonable understanding of our pattern and what's needed and overall quite a good fitness level and commitment."

Wolves have won four games and drawn once this summer while bedding a new team together.

And, with five days to go to the big kick-off at Preston, Jackett is satisfied with how things are shaping up. "Overall I'm quite pleased with the pre-season period," he said.

"But there's just a five or 10 per cent of me that's disappointed we got beat."

There was plenty to read into how the team will line up against Preston as Jackett made several telling decisions. Carl Ikeme won the nod ahead of Wayne Hennessey in goal, while Bjorn Sigurdarson was preferred ahead of Jake Cassidy.

But the Icelandic forward operated at wide right for the first time in pre-season, with Dave Edwards playing in the hole behind Griffiths as Jackett played a 4-4-1-1 formation.

There was no place in the squad for Tongo Doumbia as Jackett dismissed rumours that transfer-listed midfielder Jamie O'Hara was playing for QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient.

Sigurdarson should have put Wolves ahead after 44 seconds but fired against keeper Sara's legs.

However, they weren't to be denied on four minutes when Stearman nodded home after Danny Batth's assist from a Griffiths corner.

Betis levelled when Salva thundered home from the edge of the area after a square pass from Cedrick.

When Wolves had the ball, Betis defended high with Griffiths and the free-running Edwards looking to get in behind them, only to be caught offside on numerous occasions.

But Griffiths escaped the Betis defence to latch onto Sigurdarson's flick and bury a left-foot shot to put Wolves ahead again before floating a free-kick narrowly over.

But Betis were level when Davis's poor pass was seized upon by the nippy Cedrick and the winger prodded past Ikeme after evading a lunging tackle from Stearman.

If the visitors thought the path was clear to march to victory, they were mistaken however as Davis dragged a shot wide and Matt Doherty was inches away with an angled drive.

Wolves were made to pay for their wastefulness when Ricketts's careless punt across the area put Batth in trouble and Matilla stole in to grab the winner.

Amid a flurry of seven home substitutes in 11 minutes, Wolves had other chances. Bakary Sako saw a trademark thunderbolt charged down then Jake Cassidy forced an excellent save from point-blank range from Liam McAlinden's cross before Doherty failed to get enough on his shot.

Although the result was disappointing, Wolves could reflect on several good performances.

Wolves (4-4-1-1): Ikeme (Hennessey 74); Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Ricketts (Elokobi 74); Sigurdarson (Forde 85), Davis (Foley 74), Evans (Price 85), Sako; Edwards (McAlinden 80); Griffiths (Cassidy 74). Sub not used: Ebanks-Landell.

Real Betis (4-2-1-3): Sara, Steinhofer, Jordi, Caro, Alex M (Sergio 72); Matilla (Jaunfran 80), Nono (Verdu 72); Salva S (Nosa 72); Chuli (J. Molina 72), Braian, Cedrick (Carlos Garcia 80). Subs not used: Andersen, Montoya, Chica, Paulao. Didac, Prequis, Nacho.

Referee: A Marriner (Sheldon).

Attendance: 7,741.

By Tim Nash