Brighton & Hove Albion have dropped points for just the second time this season after being held to a goalless draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In a first half lacking chances in front of goal, Brighton missed from the spot as top goalscorer Tomer Hemed saw his penalty saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Four minutes into the second half, Conor Coady was handed a straight red but Wolves survived to register a point against the league leaders.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at Molineux.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Championship encounter between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Championship leaders away at a team who many fancy to make a promotion challenge this season. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon, huh? Brighton have dropped just two points this season - away at Huddersfield Town - but they will face a stern test at Molineux against a Wolves side who have already showed this season that they can score plenty of goals at home.
With just 15 minutes remaining until kickoff, I suppose we should crack on with taking a look at the two sides.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Martinez; Iorfa, Ebanks-Landell, Hause, Golbourne; Henry, Edwards, Coady, Ojo; Afobe, Le Fondre
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION XI: Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bong; Rosenior, Kayal, Stephens, LuaLua; Murphy, Hemed
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Ikeme, Doherty, McDonald, Wallace, van La Parra, Byrne, Enobakhare
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Maenpaa, Goldson, Ince, Forster-Caskey, March, Manu, Zamora
Wolves striker Adam Le Fondre has shaken off an ankle knock to take his place in the starting lineup, while Dominic Iorfa is in at right-back in place of Matt Doherty. As for Brighton, Kazenga LuaLua is straight back into the side after serving a one-match suspension in midweek.
With less than 10 minutes to go until kickoff, what better way to spend the time than taking a look at Sports Mole's video preview of the game...
This is the scene at Molineux. I expect plenty of those empty seats to be taken by now.
We're in position at Molineux, ready for this afternoon's @SkyBetChamp game against @OfficialBHAFC. #WWFCvBHAFC pic.twitter.com/NZLJf6gmFS
— Wolves (@OfficialWolves) September 19, 2015
Before we get started, it's worth noting that Wolves have only recorded a win over Brighton twice in 16 attempts, the last of which came in 2006.
It will be Wolves to get us underway.
Within 15 seconds, Wolves win a free kick over on the left-hand side after Afobe is hauled down by Bruno. It's a decent delivery from Henry but his cross is comfortably plucked out of the air by Stockdale.
At the other end, Brighton earn a set piece in a similar position on the right flank but Wolves head the ball clear.
Brighton are probably having a greater share of the ball but neither side have come close to creating an opportunity. There's concern for Wolves though, who have David Edwards down with ankle injury. It looks as though he will be able to continue, despite the bad landing.
The home side are receiving plenty of encouragement from their supporters but a number of crosses have only found the first defender or the goalkeeper. We still await our first shot.
SHOT! Finally, we have an effort on goal. It isn't a particularly good one though. After being teed up by Afobe, Henry curled a shot over Stockdale's crossbar.
I know we are still in the early stages, but it has to be said that neither team could like promotion contenders. There's no pace to the game whatsoever.
Henry produces a sharp turn to move inside, but his cross is, quite frankly, appalling, and straight into the hands of Stockdale. There wasn't another Wolves player in sight.
Brighton are awarded a corner after a tackle from Conor Coady is deflected behind. It looked like the Brighton player got the last touch, but Martinez comes to claim the set piece to ensure that no controversy ensues.
I wish I could make this game sound more exciting that it actually is but I am being given nothing to work with by either side. This isn't what we have come to expect from the league leaders, who seem perfectly content to contain their hosts.
PENALTY TO BRIGHTON!
MISS! Last month, Emiliano Martinez was the villain at Molineux but now he is very much the hero. After Golbourne brought down Murphy, Hemed placed his spot kick too close to the Arsenal loanee, who saved low down to his left.
Now then, can Wolves build on that reprieve? They have attempted a couple of direct balls to Afobe and Le Fondre, but it is just not sticking.
Despite the penalty miss, Brighton have more of a spring in their step. Hemed has remained on the periphery of the game, but he remains a threat in and outside of the box.
We are half an hour through this match and we have seen one shot and one penalty miss. It can only get better. We hope...
CHANCE! As I mention that, Hemed breaks clear of the Wolves defence and all he has to do is slot the ball past Martinez. However, he fires straight at the keeper and Wolves survive.
CHANCE! Hemed has been signed to score goals for Brighton, but he's just prevented one at the other end. After the ball was knocked back across goal, Le Fondre sent an effort arrowing towards the bottom corner but Hemed was there to get his body in the way.
Wolves have been much better during the last few minutes. A corner was crossed in from the right and it seemed destined to find the head of Afobe, but the ball just evaded the striker and went out for a goal kick.
After the ball is played over the Brighton defence, Afobe and Stockdale find themselves in a race for the ball, and it's the goalkeeper who prevails, making a superb tackle with his feet before clearing to safety. That could have gone wrong.
SHOT! A neat interchange between Edwards and Le Fondre sees Edwards with the chance to get a shot on goal, but he leans back and produces an effort that would be more suited to Wales against Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup tomorrow.
Moments later, Edwards combines with Henry to set up a crossing opportunity but Dunk clears over his own crossbar. From the resulting set piece, everyone misses the ball but Stockdale falls awkwardly after failing to claim the ball.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
The half-time whistle goes at Molineux and both teams head into the break after failing to break the deadlock. Brighton had their chance, though, and they have 15 minutes to reflect on Tomer Hemed's failed attempt from the spot.
Both teams have five shots apiece during the opening 45 minutes. I have to be honest - I don't remember all of them. Wolves have the edge when it comes to corners and possession, but we remain on level terms.
This match is the only one without a goal in the Championship. To take a look at the other scores, where you can also access all of the half-time reports, click here.
Slowly but surely, the two teams are making their way back out. I'm sure that both managers had a lot to say during the second period. Brighton have made a change, with Elvis Manu replacing Tomer Hemed, who must have picked up a knock.
Brighton get us back underway.
This is more like it. Both teams are looking to make headway in the final third and Brighton have managed to win a free kick. They opt against crossing the ball into the box, despite being no more than 45 yards from goal.
RED CARD! Conor Coady has been handed a straight red card! He can have no complaints whatsoever. In a 50/50 challenge with Liam Rosenoir, his studs are high and they connect with the defender's shin. Advantage Brighton.
The boos are ringing out around Molineux, but I am sure that they would feel differently had they had a closer look at the challenge. Wolves have replaced Le Fondre with Kevin McDonald.
Another Brighton takes a hefty blow from a Wolves player, this time it is Elvis Manu. Both Manu and Ethan Ebanks-Landell were challenging for the ball but the winger got a kick in the mouth. That looked painful.
Play has been back underway for over a minute and Manu hasn't been allowed to re-enter the action. It's horrendous refereeing.
Everything is all rather subdued again now. From a Wolves perspective, it's understandable, but Brighton aren't making too much of an attempt to throw men forward. They are controlling possession though.
Better from Brighton, who work the ball out wide to LuaLua. He runs at Iorfa, but the Wolves full-back is up to the challenge. You feel, though, that it is those kind of areas where Brighton will have the most joy. Wolves have resorted to long balls to Afobe, but he isn't getting a sniff.
Martinez comes perilously close to catching the ball outside of his area. He is taken down by LuaLua in the process, but he survives both a free kick and an injury.
Moments later, the goalkeeper is forced into action again to save a low drive from Kayal, but he does what was needed. Brighton are pushing forward now.
SUBSTITUTION! Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett has made his second change, with Nathan Byrne on for his debut in place of Sheyi Ojo.
BOOKING! Dominic Iorfa has gone into the book for a late challenge on Manu. That puts him under pressure for the final 20 minutes. From the resulting free kick, Martinez comes to claim at the back post.
CHANCE! Rosenoir has been playing in a more advanced position during this second half and he very nearly opens the scoring for his side. A Bruno cross finds the wide man but his first-time effort is directed into the side-netting.
BOOKING! Byrne shows his first bit of skill in a Wolves shift and finds himself hacked down by Kayal, who deservedly earns a yellow card.
CHANCE! Brighton appear to be targeting the right flank now and LuaLua and Manu link up before the ball is sent into the penalty area. Stephens beats the defender to the ball but his header is straight at Martinez. Lucky escape for the home side.
SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Bobby Zamora to make his third substitute appearance in the space of a week. He has been thrown on in place of LuaLua, which is a bit of a surprise. Twelve minutes to go.
Seconds after the game restarts, Brighton engineer another opportunity, but Manu's weak strike is comfortably saved by Martinez.
I think we can rule out Wolves nicking a winner. They have every player behind the ball and haven't had a shot since Coady's sending off. Brighton look more threatening with every attack but so far, they can't find a way through.
CHANCE! Wolves manage to create an opening for Afobe, but I don't think his effort can be classed as a shot. A left-foot volley from 16 yards goes out for a throw-in. Yes, it was that bad.
CHANCE! Big chance for Brighton. A cross from the left from Manu finds Murphy, but his header is glanced wide of the far post. In all fairness, he had to step backwards to make a connection, but he would have expected to hit the target.
SHOT! It's all Brighton, who toy with Wolves before the ball finds Kayal from 25 yards. He drills a volley towards Martinez's goal but the ball takes a slight deflection and just misses the far post. Wolves are living dangerously.
Brighton win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Stephens will take...
Stephens lays the ball off to Kayal, who has another shot deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting set piece, the referee spots a foul and hands Wolves a free kick.
There will be five minutes of added-on time. Wolves have thrown on Matt Doherty for James Henry.
SHOT! A sustained spell of possession for Brighton ends with Kayal drilling an effort from 25 yards high into the stands. Will that be their last chance?
Wolves win a late, late free kick after Afobe is brought down. Can Wolves nick it?
FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
The answer to that is no. A Golbourne free kick misses everyone and the referee blows his whistle. Brighton remain top of the table, but they will feel that this is two points dropped after having a man advantage for over 40 minutes. Wolves will be delighted to have kept a clean sheet against the Championship pacesetters.
That will be all from Sports Mole's coverage of this game but we hope that you can stick around for all of our match reports and reaction from today's games. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
