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Wolves 1 Doncaster 0 - Doncaster suffer late woe at champions
Wolves ended their Championship title winning campaign with a stoppage-time victory over Doncaster at Molineux.
Richard Stearman headed home Stephen Ward's cross in the 91st minute to give Wolves the win that saw them finish seven points clear of Birmingham at the top of the league.
It had looked as though the promotion party would begin on the back of a stalemate as Doncaster more than held their own throughout the game and they almost took the lead when James Hayter brought a fine save out of Wayne Hennessey.
The late goal saw Mick McCarthy's men seal their 15th home win of the season, while Doncaster celebrated their highest-placed league finish for over 50 years as they ended in 14th.
Wolves had the luxury of going into the final game knowing it was job done, and with the Championship trophy being polished and decorated with gold and black ribbons ahead of the after-match presentation, the home fans were in party mood at Molineux as they celebrated a return to the top division following a five-year absence.
And with nothing resting on the result, the game began in slow fashion with neither side playing at full throttle.
The prolific Sylvan Ebanks-Blake tried to add to his 25 league goals, but he fired a long-range effort wide and Rovers' Hayter had a goalbound effort well blocked by Jody Craddock.
Wolves were the dominant side in the first half and their only real surge into the Doncaster penalty area almost brought an opening goal. Foley, who was being employed in a central midfield role, broke into the box and created space for a shot, but his effort hit the post and bounced out of play just before the break.
Doncaster came out in the second half meaning business and almost took the lead but when Hayter pounced on a loose ball, he somehow fired wide from close range and the striker, who has scored four goals in the last five games, missed another golden chance just 10 minutes later.
Martin Woods flighted in an inviting free-kick that Hayter got on the end of, but his header was superbly turned around the post by Hennessey.
The home side finally roused and captain Henry played a short corner to Ward, who whipped in a fine cross that defender Stearman met and headed high into the net to kick the celebrations off in style.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey; Stearman, Craddock, Berra, Stephen Ward; Foley, Henry, Edwards (Elokobi 85), Jarvis (Vokes 61); Ebanks-Blake (Hemmings 65) Keogh. Unused substitutes: Collins, Hill.
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; Chambers, Van Nieuwstadt, Roberts (Greer 80), Hird; Spicer, Wellens, Martin Woods, Shiels (Fairhurst 69); LuaLua (Guy 65), Hayter. Unused substitutes: Gary Woods.
Referee: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).
Man of the match: Richard Stearman.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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