Wolves skipper Karl Henry insists Barclays Premier League big spenders Manchester City’s second goal in their 3-0 victory at Molineux should never have been allowed.

Javier Garrido’s 69th minute free kick proved the moment of no return for Mick McCarthy’s side in the 3-0 defeat at Molineux.

But it only came after Craig Bellamy was offside in the build-up.

“I think the linesman had to put his flag up, but he missed it,” said Henry.

“If he’d have given it, we wouldn’t have conceded the second goal and maybe we could have nicked something from the game.

“Bellamy went for the header with Jody Craddock in an offside position, so he had to be interfering with play.

“From that, the ball eventually ended up in the back of our net. I didn’t think the decision was clear-cut, but I don’t think the officials gave us a lot all night.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was also unhappy with the decision, but refused to publicly criticise the match officials.

He said: “The scoreline flattered them. I think we played well. It always sounds ridiculous when you lose 3-0 but we played as well as we have with the ball.

“In the first half we were excellent and in the second half, up until the second goal, we were causing them problems. They were hardly on top of their game all the time.”

Although Wolves signed off the decade with successive scoreless defeats in three days, skipper Henry is convinced they are heading in the right direction.

“The manager said to us we should be happy where we are and I think we’d all have taken our position if we’d been offered it at the start of the season, especially after the last two performances,” he said.

“We’ve played well against Liverpool and City – it was only when we went down to 10 men that Liverpool got their break – it’s just the two results that have been disappointing.”

Henry’s thoughts echo those of the manager, who said: “If you’d said after the Birmingham game we’d have the points we’ve got and in the position we’re in, we’d have all been happy.

“So we’ve got to keep the chins up, keep playing and pick up points against teams we’re expected to get points from.”

By TIM NASH