23 mins Bueno shot. 0-1

24 mins De Bolle shot. 1-1

43 mins Cundle shot. 1-2

Half time: Wolves 2 Magpies 1

67 mins Bueno shot. 1-3

69 mins Westendorf shot. 2-3

81 mins Cundle shot. 2-4

Full time: Wolves 4 Magpies 2

NUFC v Wolves reserves (a) since our last victory:

2021/22 lost 2-4 (Molineux)
2020/21 lost 0-4 (Kidderminster)
2019/20 n/a - no game
2018/19 lost 0-2 (Telford)
2017/18 lost 0-2 (Telford)
2016/17 lost 1-4 (Molineux)
2015/16 lost 1-3 (Telford)
2014/15 drew 2-2 (Telford)
2013/14 n/a - no game
2012/13 n/a - no game
2011/12 drew 1-1 (Telford)
2010/11 won 2-1 (Telford)

A third successive defeat for the U23s did further damage to their PL2 playoff hopes on Monday evening, as they were well beaten by fellow promotion seekers Wolves at Molineux.

The home side were looking to cement their second place position, while United sat three points and two places off the final playoff spot at kick-off.
    
Visiting goalkeeper Max Thompson made a series of early blocks but was unable to prevent Hugo Bueno from tucking his effort inside the far post on 23 minutes.

However the blue-clad Magpies levelled just 96 seconds later, Lucas De Bolle taking Josh Scott's perfectly-weighted ball and finishing well from 12 yards out.

The home side continued to dominate possession and regained the lead two minutes before the end of normal time in the first half.

Ki-Jana Hoever's run down the right took him to the byline and although his pull back across the six yard box eluded a clutch of United players, Luke Cundle was on hand to touch it into the net from close range. 

The hosts looked in the mood for further goals after the break, laying siege to Max Thompson's goal until Bueno grabbed his second of the night and Wolves' third on 67 minutes.

Again though that sparked Newcastle into life again and a rare attack ended with Ryan Barrett's cross from the right falling into the path of Isaac Westendorf, who netted with a first time rising volley 119 seconds later. 

The two goal advantage was restored on 81 minutes when substitute Dexter Lembikisa overlapped on the right; his ball into Cundle allowing him take a touch before smashing in his second of the game.

Further home goals failed to follow, but United have now conceded 16 in their last four outings and 51 in their 24 league games to date - a figure only exceeded by basement dwellers Reading with 53.

Two PL2 games remain; a home meeting with Southampton at SJP next Monday and a visit to Villa Park the following week.

Landing a playoff spot remains a possibility, but Elliot Dickman's side are now reliant on the misfortunes of rivals around them in addition to repairing their own faltering form and inferior goal difference.

And were they to end up in the playoffs, then a Wolves side who have now won eight of their last nine games would be almost certainly be lying in wait again - and with home advantage.

Niall MacKenzie