43 mins A speculative cross into our box found James Perch trying to mark two players at the far post. One of those was Ebanks-Blake who either took down the ball or took advantage of Perch's touch to fire past Harper from six yards.  0-1

Half time: Dingles 1 United 0

62 mins Joey Barton signalled that he was lofting the ball in from a free-kick gained by Gutierrez. Everyone knew he was aiming for the head of Andy Carroll but it didn't stop him finding it and the striker steered another fine header in via a post to send the away section into sheer delirium. 1-1

Full time: Dingles 1 United 1

This remains one of my least favourite away trips. The uneasy tension and menace that permeates the ground has never left, away fans displaying colours and walking in small numbers taking their life into their own hands as far as I'm concerned.

I may be biased, but having worked in the town and regularly had my life threatened, I'd like to think it's an opinion based on fact as well as prejudice.*

This fixture, along with Birmingham, Stoke and of course the mackems is always better once it's over and has been survived in one piece and even better, the side has returned unbeaten.

That was exactly the feeling after this one, once we were back on home soil and we'd returned unscathed with a valuable Premier League point.

There were plenty of assaults but thankfully for us they occurred on the pitch and they didn't have the desired effect, as Chris Hughton and his boys made it three games in seven days unbeaten and netting no fewer than ten times.

Andy Carroll and Joey Barton endured an afternoon of bruising beatings to combine and thwart the thuggish Blitzkrieg tactics employed by ex-mackem and current Dingles boss, Mick McCarthy.

Trailing to a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake goal just before half-time, Barton found Carroll's towering head from a free-kick and the big striker grabbed his fourth goal in two games to level the scores.

It was no more than United deserved on the balance of play and the visitors arguably created the clearer chances in a game marred by the systematic attacks, particularly on Barton which looked to be obvious and deliberate directives from the home coaching staff.

Wolves players took it in turn to trip, barge and kick Barton all afternoon and the seven bookings could have been doubled, had woeful referee Stuart Attwell not lost complete control of the game.

The intimidation of Barton worked to a certain extent and he was also booked, although it says much for his recent restraint that he remained on the pitch - although when he belatedly responded with one strong tackle he was inevitably yellow-carded.

Barton, almost at breaking point, also gave away a last minute free-kick that almost rewarded McCarthy's tactics, but thankfully United held out to claim a very useful point at a venue where they have traditionally struggled.

Unsurprisingly it was an unchanged line-up from the side that thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 - Carroll recovering sufficiently from a bizarre midweek injury to make the starting eleven. Kevin Nolan was once again up front supporting Carroll and both had enough chances to match the five they stuck past the other Midlanders last week.

Nolan should have opened the scoring when he was presented with the ball on the penalty spot but a weak shot was block, as was the rebound. Wayne Routledge should also have done better when he rounded Hahnemann but failed to find Barton or Nolan with the goal gaping.

Nolan again had the chance to shoot left-footed in the box but refused and was crowded out but then teed up Carroll who seemed to certain to score but his shot cleared the bar, claiming it had been deflected. His protests earned a caution but a minute later the miss was punished more harshly when Wolves took the lead.

The tackles and the bookings flowed thick and fast after the break but happily United took advantage of one of those cautions to equalise from a well-executed free-kick.

Nolan fired a powerful volley straight at the 'keeper as we threatened to take all three points and then Barton shot wide after being set up by Nolan.

Carroll made way for Shola Ameobi and seconds later a looping header from the substitute almost found Nolan at the far post but Ward cleared off the line before Nolan could pounce. With that, our chance of victory faded and in added time our defence comfortably coped with some hopeful punts into the area and the game ended all-square.

Nolan and Barton enjoyed some banter with the home and away fans in the Jack Harris stand after the final whistle with Nolan responding to jibes about his size with a Charles Atlas pose that was almost impressive.

Barton and McCarthy tangled on the touchline with TV pictures later showing an exchange of views that seemed less than pleasant. McCarthy claimed it was all good natured and that they were laughing and joking but that seemed to be a bit of a history rewrite.

Disappointingly and inexplicably, Alan Shearer and the Match of the Day chaps seemed to find the whole Barton episode hilarious. Big Al & co. may have giggled on the sofa, but there didn't appear to be too many chuckles among the travelling fans or players as they witnessed the assaults.

Had McCarthy's plans been successful and Barton been dismissed or hospitalised, United would have left Molineux defeated and facing the next few games without their most influential midfielder.

Side-splitting stuff eh...?

Given his recent experience, you would have thought that our former number nine, of all people, would appreciate the value of every single Premier League point.

As it was, Barton and Perch made it three bookings apiece from as many Premier League games this season. At that rate, suspensions will require Chris Hughton to expand his squad as much as possible before Tuesday's closing of the transfer window.

It's still early days and our start has been a positive one but it still feels like four points towards the 40 and safety, rather than anything more hopeful than that.

Niall Mackenzie

* Less than a month after this game Notts County fans had their coaches here attacked by Wolves fans, resulting in one visiting supporter receiving hospital treatment for facial injuries.