Mick McCarthy was happy to look to the second round of the Carling Cup after admitting his side were below par in their 3-2 extra-time win over League Two visitors Accrington.

McCarthy’s men had trailed to Paul Mullin’s first-half strike but Chris Iwelumo scored twice and after Ian Craney had levelled, Mark Davies got the extra-time winner for Wolves.

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Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: “We got there in the end and deserved to win, no question about that, but it would have been nice if we could have done it sooner.

“But they made the game very difficult for us.

“We’ve got the prize of the next round but they perhaps take the plaudits for the way that they played.”

Stanley threatened in the opening minute when 18-year-old winger Robert Grant lofted the ball to Ian Craney but the midfielder failed to make full contact with and it floated harmlessly over Wayne Hennessey’s bar.

The early scare sparked Wolves into life and Iwelumo thought he had produced the opener only to see his effort ruled offside.

Iwelumo eventually brought the sides level 13 minutes from time when he found himself in acres of space to thunder a close-range shot beyond the outreaching arms of Stanley keeper Kenny Arthur.

Wolves took the lead midway through the first period of extra-time when Iwelumo again thundered a shot into the back of the net but just one minute later Stanley were back level when Richardson laid the ball to Craney who beat the offside trap to coolly slot the ball beyond Wayne Hennessey.

But just as the Reds dreamed of continuing to the second round, one minute into the second period of extra-time substitute Mark Davies latched on to an Iwelumo cross to place his shot into the bottom right hand corner.

McCarthy was also full of praise for Stanley goalkeeper Kenny Arthur for keeping the Lancashire side in the game and said: “They’ve got a very good goalkeeper in the ranks that made save after save.”

Stanley boss John Coleman was happy with his side’s performnce, if not the result saying: “It wasn’t to be.

“We battled really hard and I asked them for a big performance and they’ve set themselves a standard.

“Wolves are a top side and I really hope they get the Premier League status that they crave next season. We’ve given it a good go and that’s all you can ask for.”

MATCH FACTS: 

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Collins, Elokobi, Gray (Davies 99), Henry, Edwards, Daniel Jones (Keogh 53), Iwelumo, Vokes (Ebanks-Blake 63). Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Craddock, Stephen Ward, Potter. Booked: Keogh. Goals: Iwelumo 73, 102, Davies 106.

Accrington Stanley: Arthur, Cavanagh, Edwards, Williams, King, John Mullin (Murphy 79), Craney, Richardson, Grant (Miles 71), Paul Mullin, Clarke (Ryan 74). Subs Not Used: Dunbavin, Onibuje, Bell, Smith. Sent Off: Williams (120). Booked: Williams. Goals: Paul Mullin 40, Craney 104.

Attendance: 9,424

Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).