Oct 31, 2009 - 4:15 PM
0 shoutsBy MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=
LONDON (SE) - Jody Craddock scored his first goal in five years for Wolverhampton and then got another as Stoke surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke appeared to be coasting towards their third successive Premier League win when they led 2-0 at half time after being much the more impressive side.
But then Craddock pulled a goal back after 47 minutes and got his second 17 minutes later as Wolves stormed to a deserved draw.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admitted Craddock's first goal, a header from a Nenad Milijas free kick, was offside.
McCarthy said: "Yes, it was. But then we have numerous decisions go against us this season, or rather not for us, so we were due a slice of luck.
"I know people say luck evens itself out but we have had a lot go against us one way or another so we take this with both hands, thank you very much."
Stoke were in rampant early form and it was no surprise when they went ahead in the 17th minute when Matthew Etherington crossed from the left and defender George Elokobi, under pressure from James Beattie, turned the ball into his own net.
Wayne Hennessey made a great save from Beattie soon afterwards as Stoke went in search of a second and it came eventually in the 44th minute.
Rory Delap caused the initial problems with a trade-mark long throw and Etherington was unmarked when he volleyed in.
Wolves looked a struggling side but McCarthy sent on Milijas at the start of the second half and his first action was to set up Craddock's dubious first goal, a header from close range.
Craddock got his second in the 64th and there was nothing suspicious about the way he converted a corner from Milijas.
Craddock said: "I have never been a great scorer so it was nice to get one, let alone two. I suppose I was fortunate with the first but you have to take them when they come along.
"We have been playing with more confidence lately and I think overall we deserved to get a draw."
McCarthy sent on giant Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer near the end and he went close to snatching a winner.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis was not happy with the award of the first Wolves goal but accepted that his team had thrown away a decent lead.
Pulis said: "The first goal was definitely offside but you cannot change that now. I was more disappointed that we failed to hold on at 2-0.
"The way we have been playing you would expect us to build on that lead and finish off the opposition but we let them back into it.
"We were bossing the game in the first half and might have been more than two goals up so it is a point lost, I'm afraid."
