Kenny Jackett felt table-topping Middlesbrough had too much for Wolves as a Friday night at the Riverside ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Goals from Gaston Ramirez in either half were rewards for Boro’s overall control of the game but Wolves pulled a goal back shortly before full time when Ben Gibson headed into his own net after a slight flick-on from Joe Mason.
Wolves however were unable to carve out another chance and the Head Coach acknowledged his team were beaten by a better side as Boro hit the Sky Bet Championship summit ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
“Middlesbrough were just a bit too strong for us – they had a lot of quality and edged us out,” said Jackett.
“It was a frustrating night because they had a bit too much experience and too much drive.
“We couldn’t get to their standards to be honest
“We finished strongly and got a goal back but couldn’t have a run in the last five minutes against a solid defence and Boro deserved the win.
“We struggled down our right hand side at the start of both halves.
“Friend and Adomah were dominant in the game and that opened up space for Ramirez to come into the 10 position and link the play too many times.
“We didn’t do well enough to get close enough to those players and they were the key players in the game.
“This is the standard of the division – Middlesbrough are a good side, they had the edge all night and we couldn’t get close to them.”
Jackett acknowledged it was disappointing not to be able to build on the excellent win against Boro’s fellow promotion-chasers Derby last weekend.
But he said the defending had to be better against such a tight-knit home side.
“It was disappointing not to carry on from Derby but it is always going to be a tall order here,” he added.
“To come here you have to defend well and we are always disappointed with conceding goals.
“We didn’t attack the ball for the first one and in the second one there were three or four challenges we needn’t to compete better in.
“Now it is about the two home games we have coming up in Bristol City and Birmingham and we have to look to bounce back.”
A further setback came as Ethan Ebanks-Landell limped off in the first half and left the Riverside at full time with his foot in a protective boot.
“Ethan’s foot is in a boot and we don’t have news on the injury yet but it doesn’t look good,” Jackett explained.
“He has had his best run in the side so far in the centre half position and it will be frustrating for whatever period of time he is out.
“Mike Williamson won’t be fit for Bristol City on Tuesday but we are hopeful after that.
“It has been a frustrating one for everybody because right at the moment we just can’t get him over that line.”
