Wolves rally twice to earn 2-2 draw at Hull

Jan 30, 2010 - 6:42 PM By CHRIS TUPLING STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Hull manager Phil Brown lamented his side's defending after they twice surrendered the lead in being held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation rivals Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Matt Jarvis' first Premier League goal earned the visitors a share of the spoils by cancelling out Stephen Hunt's expertly converted penalty.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had earlier given the Tigers the lead with his first goal in ten games before Anthony Gardner's comical own goal handed the visitors their first equaliser.

Brown, whose side are now 10 games without a victory, said: "I felt as if there was goals in the game, hopefully for us and not for them.

"They threw everything at us and we threw everything at them so a draw was probably a fair result.

"When you get yourselves in front on two occasions, certainly in the situation we find ourselves in, it is a disappointing result. For me we should have defended better for both goals.

"Both sides endeavoured to try and win the game but the bottom line is they go away happier than we are.

"We have 15 games to go, starting with a very difficult one against Chelsea on Tuesday. Until we get that win the anxiety will remain."

Hull and Wolves had scored only 37 Premier League goals between them but it took just 11 minutes for the home side to take the lead.

United States striker Jozy Altidore did well to hold off Christophe Berra before picking out Vennegoor of Hesselink 20 yards out.

The big Dutchman hammered a fine low shot beyond Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and into the bottom left corner for his third Hull goal.

Wolves drew level within four minutes of the re-start thanks to Gardner's crazy own goal.

Ronald Zubar crossed tamely from the right wing only for Hull captain Gardner to slice an attempted left foot clearance high into the air and over helpless goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Gardner's blushes were spared as Hull were gifted the chance to restore their lead only three minutes later.

Frenchman Zubar needlessly bundled over Altidore and Wolves transfer target Hunt stepped up to rifle the resulting penalty into the roof of former Reading teammate Hahnemann's net.

Hull again failed to hold onto their lead as Jarvis restored parity for a second time in the 67th minute.

Kevin Foley crossed from the left and Jarvis ghosted in to fire past Myhill from midway inside the penalty area.

Hull brought on new loan signing Amr Zaki for his debut in the closing stages and Vennegoor of Hesselink wasted a glorious chance to earn the win with a free header wide from Hunt's cross late on.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said: "I am disappointed and frustrated we have not got all three points because I thought we deserved to win.

"We had most of the play, got caught on the break for their first goal and gave away the most ridiculous penalty I have ever seen."