Wolves 1 (Bothroyd 51)
Colchester United 0
Although they didn't have things all their own way against Championship new boys Colchester, Wolves took the three points that lifted them up to fifth place in the table with Jay Bothroyd grabbing the only goal of the game shortly after the interval.
Jamie Clapham returned in defence in place of Charlie Mulgrew who was named as a substitute, and Bothroyd played up front with Jemal Johnson with Leon Clarke also taking a place on the bench.
The visitors kicked-off attacking the North Bank end but Wolves were soon on the front foot with Johnson winning a corner off Wayne Brown. But Darren Potter's flag-kick was easily collected by United keeper Aidan Davison.
Johnson fired over the bar after Bothroyd had chested down a cross from Rohan Ricketts before Colchester skipper Karl Duguid was narrowly off target with a snapshot from 20-yards.
Duguid was close again with a cross-shot across the face of goal after the home defence had failed to clear a centre from Richard Garcia.
Bothroyd was desperately unlucky with a 15th minute free-kick. Kevin Watson was penalised for a foul on Karl Henry some 25-yards out and Bothroyd's kick went through the wall and beat Davison but hit the inside of the left-hand post.
The ball bounced out to Potter on the right who returned it into the box where Bothroyd and Jody Craddock had efforts that were blocked before the Colchester defence cleared the danger.
Seyi Olofinjana went into the referee's notebook after a challenge on Kemal Izzet and moments later the Molineux midfielder struck a first time shot narrowly wide from 25-yards after a square pass from Ricketts.
Chris Barker shot straight at Matt Murray and then Johnson hit a ferocious shot from 25-yards that only just cleared the Colchester bar.
Garcia wasted a glorious opportunity for United when he shot wide from ten-yards out after Pat Baldwin had headed on a Watson corner.
But Wolves were soon back on the attack with Ricketts' angled shot going through the arms of Davison and trickling inches wide of the far post.
In stoppage time the keeper made an excellent save when he turned behind a well struck effort from Olofinjana after Ricketts had seen his shot blocked by a defender.
Half-Time: Wolves 0 Colchester 0
Wolves moved ahead in the 51st minute following a foul on Ricketts by Greg Halford to the left of the Colchester box. Ricketts took the kick himself and Bothroyd, at full stretch at the near post, managed to divert the ball into the net.
There could have been a second just two minutes later after Johnson beat the offside trap. But the American was forced wide and when he pulled the ball back Potter hit a first time shot high over the bar.
Ricketts had a chance to open his account for the season when Davison's hurried clearance from the edge of the United box fell at the midfielder's feet. From wide on the left Ricketts curled the ball towards goal but Baldwin ran across to clear.
Clapham did well to block an on target shot from Izzet before the Colchester midfielder drew a great save from Murray who reacted sharply to push behind a low shot that looked destined for the corner of the net.
Ricketts was replaced by Clarke with ten minutes remaining and within seconds of his introduction he was shoved off the ball by McLeod who was shown the yellow card for his troubles.
There was plenty to keep the crowd entertained and after Craig Davies had come on for Bothroyd, Murray had to dive across his area to cut out a dangerous centre from Jamie Cureton.
Davison had to hurry to clear a backpass as Davies closed him down and then the keeper saved an angled shot from the striker.
Just before the end, Garcia was booked after handling the ball into Murray's net, and substitute Lewis Gobern also saw the yellow card for retaliation after he had been fouled.
Deep into injury time a fine pass from Clarke released Davies who ran for 30-yards before hitting a shot that Davison deflected wide.
Wolves: Murray, Edwards, Clapham, Potter, Breen, Craddock (capt), Henry, Bothroyd (Davies 81), Johnson (Gobern 87), Olofinjana, Ricketts (Clarke 79).
Unused subs: Mulgrew, Ikeme.
Bookings: Olofinjana (20 - foul), Gobern (90 - retaliation).
Colchester: Davison, Halford, Brown, Watson (Jackson 83), Duguid (capt), Cureton (Guy 83), Izzet, Iwelumo (McLeod 61), Baldwin, Garcia, Barker.
Unused subs: White, Gerken.
Bookings: McLeod (80 - foul), Garcia (88 - deliberate hand-ball).
Ref: S.W. Mathieson.
Attendance: 19,318.
Goldrush Lucky 4 Half-Time Draw v Colchester United: 4 - 6 - 8 - 17.
Wolves under 18s 1 (Salmon) Bolton 0
