Wolves went from thoroughbreds to donkeys on grand national day, in the first game back since that glorious 6-0 drubbing of Gillingham a fortnight ago.

Wolves failure to break down a so called "lesser team" has again seen them drop vital points at home. It is now just two home league wins in four months.

With various players coming through international duty unscathed, DJ was afforded the luxury of playing an unchanged side and stuck with a familiar 4-4-2 formation. However referee Andy Hall seemed to prefer a more unorthodox 4-4-1 formation when he reduced Wolves down to ten men with the early sending off of Nathan Blake.

Wolves attacking the goal in front of the Jack Harris stand made a sluggish start to the game and had Irwin to thank for a crucial clearance from Sedgwick's cross. Wolves first opportunity came when Miller latched on to a back pass intended for Pollit. The ball ricocheted up into the air and Miller's international team mate Cameron was unlucky not to score in a hectic goal mouth scramble. Wolves not for the first time this season completely wasted the resulting corner, Rotherham's Pollit was now becoming the busier of the two keepers and did well to produce a fine save from Blake's thunderous shot. The Welsh International had controlled the ball superbly on the half way line before easily out pacing young defender Barker.

Barker would only have to suffer at the hands (or should that be elbows?) of Blake for only a couple more minutes. On the quarter of an hour mark the two became involved in an off the ball incident which left the young centre back clutching his face on the floor. Much to the fury of the home fans, ref Hall had judged that Blake had used his elbow and had no hesitation in sending him off. The burley striker was furious at Barkers reaction to what he saw as an innocent tangle and took a couple of minutes before being ushered off the pitch. He seemed to have a point as seconds after he had crossed the white line, barker leapt to his feet after a "miracle recovery". It was the first time a Wolves player had seen red since Paul Butler against Man City almost a year ago.

After that the game took on a nasty edge to it with several robust tackles being made by both sets of players. The ever enthusiastic Miller almost opened the scoring when he turned Swailes only to blast his shot way over the bar. The first substitution of the game came as early as the 31st minute when Byfield replaced the seemingly injured Richard Barker. The ref was still bearing the brunt of the home fans frustration after his red card decision. He hardly endeared himself to the old gold faithful when he stopped play for a foul on Kennedy, even though the winger had shrugged off the challenge and was clearly in a good position to cross the ball.

With Wolves having no joy from corners the only other way to score from a set piece would be free kick. Such a chance came late in the half, but Irwin saw his stinging shot hit the Rotherham wall.

HT Wolves 0 Rotherham 0

Wolves started the second half brightly and a determined run by Miller forced a good sliding challenge from Daws. Rotherham seemed happy to play for a draw and Lescott and Butler seemed to cope well with the visitors rare attacks. Irwin again had a promising free kick blocked by the wall in the 57th minute, but Wolves were looking lightweight in attack. Rae replaced the more defensive Ince as Wolves searched frantically for the breakthrough goal. Ref Hall was again reaching for his note pad when he booked Mullin for a clumsy challenge on Naylor. Miller's international exploits seemed to take their toll and he was replaced by Ndah with 20 minutes left.

With a quarter of an hour left both keepers were called upon within a two minute spell. Firstly Murray blocked well from Byfield and then Pollit denied Ndah at the other end. With the clock ticking down, Sturridge was brought into the action when he replaced Newton. With just two minutes left, last season's goal scoring sensation was brought down by Talbot inside the box. With news of Ipswich and Norwich both trailing surely the conversion of a last minute spot kick would give us a great points cushion for the difficult run-in. Joy turned to despair when Cameron saw his strike saved by Polli and Sturridge saw his weak effort gathered up by the grateful keeper.

With the poverty stricken tractor boys and Delia's donkeys both slipping up, the day could have been a lot worse. But silly mistakes and poor home form has cost us again. Wolves have a tough run in and now Blake will almost certainly miss three crucial games. Still look on the bright side only two more of the remaining games are at Molineux.

FT Wolves 0 Rotherham 0