Wolves Academy under-18s completed a hectic spell of fixtures with a hard-earned 1-0 win at Crewe yesterday thanks to a second in two games from schoolboy James Spray (pictured).

It was the Academy's fourth game in ten days, but they defended well as Crewe piled on the pressure in the first half and came away with the victory thanks to Spray's effort around the hour mark.

"We fielded a team with four schoolboys and had a difficult first 20 minutes or so against a Crewe team who've been averaging two goals a game," said Academy Under-18s coach John Perkins.

"Keeper Daniel Wright made two or three excellent saves in that early spell and Danny Batth, Paul McCone, Fungandel Moke and Jack Price - playing at right back - defended really well.

"We had a couple of chances on the break through James Spray and Kyle Bennett and while we didn't really hurt them very much we worked hard at the back and were very organised and disciplined.

"After the break we came a lot more into the game and within 15 minutes of the restart got our goal.

"Paul McCone started the build-up on the left and he found Kyle Bennett who slipped the ball through to James who scored with a low shot from an angle just inside the penalty area.

"We got on top after that with Sam Winnall shooting into the side netting and could have added more goals before full time."

There were plenty of performances which pleased the coach as Wolves made it just one defeat from a seven-game sequence which has also included victories over Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester United.

"It was good to see Nathan Rooney producing a good performance in midfield for 50 minutes in what was his first game back after a long injury," added John.

"Schoolboy Louis Harris did well after coming through 90 minutes as did Jack Price at right back while Kyle Bennett was lively up front.

"It was James Spray's third successive game at centre foreward and he made it two in two having scored at Newcastle on Saturday.

"Overall it was a good result and team performance with the lads working extremely hard.

"We've now only lost once in seven games, and that was with the last kick at Sunderland who are top of their league.

"It's been a great run since Christmas which is when we start using the younger players and the first years and schoolboys have stepped up to the plate really well.

"We had nine unavailable for yesterday's game due to injuries but the lads that came in produced some impressive performances."

The Under-18s next game is at home to Barnsley on April 18.