Wayne Hennessey was the hero of the day, saving a late and controversial penalty to keep the game scoreless in the Black Country derby.

West Bromwich enjoyed the better of the first half but Wolves battled back and created some good chances.

The visitors made one change, with Darron Gibson replacing Freddy Eastwood.

After a tentative opening few minutes, Albion began to take control of the game. But the first shot on goal, on five minutes, came from the on-loan Darron Gibson. However, his effort was well wide of the target.

The hosts were getting into their stride and Wayne Hennessey was forced to tip the ball over his bar after a headed clearance by Collins looked as though it could cause danger on seven minutes.

A third of the way through the half, Albion came close to taking the lead with a drive from Ishmael Miller that went just wide.

And if that effort was a 'could' have, the next was a 'should' do when Chris Brunt crossed perfectly for Filipe Teixeira to blaze over the bar from 15 yards on 22 minutes.

A minute later, Wolves were on the attack and a Jay Bothroyd corner was headed onto the post by Jody Craddock.

Albion enjoyed a period of sustained pressure but couldn't find the net as Wolves defended resolutely. Teixeira played an excellent ball in for Miller who drove his shot straight at Hennessey on 34 minutes.

In a good break-away move, Michael Kightly raced down the channel and crossed for the unmarked Seyi Olofinjana, whose flying header went wide.

As the game approached half-time, Paul Robinson made a crucial clearance from a Stephen Ward cross.

After weathering the storm, Wolves were now on top and a shot by Gibson, from a Karl Henry free-kick, had Dean Kiely at full stretch to save with just a minute left on the clock.

H-T: Albion 0 Wolves 0

Wolves picked up where they had left off. Kightly went on an excellent solo run but was deemed to have fouled the pursuing Robinson, much to the Wolves man's indignation.

Ten minutes in, Teixeira again came close, turning D Ward and curling a shot that Hennessey did well to turn onto the post.

Eastwood replaced the injured Kightly on 61 minutes. Two minutes later Stephen Elliott came on for the limping Bothroyd.

Robinson was again in action on 70 minutes, blocking an effort from Elliott. Then, almost immediately, substitute Craig Beattie was sliding in but Hennessey had the danger covered.

The action was flowing from end to end but Wolves we looking again to end the half the stronger side.

Eastwood beat the off-side trap on 78 minutes but Kiely stood his ground and forced the Welshman to shoot from a tight angle.

Olofinjana hit the side netting after a Gibson cross. With just seven minutes left it was looking like neither side would find that bit of luck to break the deadlock.

Then Neill Collins was ajudged to have brought down Beattie in the area on 85 minutes. But Hennessey was up to the task and saved Zoltan Gera's spot kick.

A DETAILED REPORT AND PICTURES WILL FOLLOW.