Doncaster 2 Wolves 2

A CRACKING FA Cup tie came at a big cost for Wolves.

The sending off of George Elokobi marred the tie and was prompted by some sceptical 'influencing' by Doncaster players and a naive referee.

Not only have Mick McCarthy's side the unwanted inconvenience of a replay smack in the middle of some difficult Premier League games, but they will have to negotiate them without Elokobi, suspended for three matches in the unlikely event Wolves can mount a successful appeal.

The powerful left-back is arguably in the best form of his career, certainly the best since his career-threatening knee injury two-and-a-half years ago.

His dismissal 13 minutes from time, for accidentally heading the back of James Coppinger's head and knocking both himself and the Rovers player out in the process, seemed unbelievably harsh.

Referee Anthony Taylor will surely look back on the incident and wince.

Not only at the clash of skulls, but equally at his decision, Elokobi also having the indiginity of having a red card waved at him as he came round as he was led from the pitch.

His aerial challenge, coming just when the 2,000-plus Wolves fans were in full voice doing their 'Okey Cokey' appreciation of him, was powerful but without malice, intent or elbow as both players jumped honestly for the ball.

Elokobi's early bath also removed any chance Wolves had of winning the tie.

With 11 men, the second half momentum built up by the all-gold visitors which earned them the 58th minute equaliser looked to be carrying them into the fourth round.

It seemed as if there was only one team going to win it as Wolves' fresh urgency looked to overpower a Doncaster side 18 places below them.

Down to 10 men, however, and it became a case of holding on to what they'd got as Stephen Ward dropped back to left-back and substitute Kevin Doyle was left to toil away on his own up front.

But at least they didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of defeat against lower league opposition like Albion, Newcastle, Sunderland, Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Portsmouth and Bristol City.

There never seemed any real danger of that happening, even when they trailed for 15 minutes either side of half-time.

If not quite at the same tempo that saw them overcome Liverpool and Chelsea recently, Wolves were nevertheless thoroughly professional as they tried to maintain the same standards that has underpinned their revival.

Unfortunately, those attempts were compromised by the sort of defensive sloppiness that has plagued them for much of the season.

For all the fine work Richard Stearman has done in those recent famous victories, he made an unwelcome return to some of his more forgettable moments at Doncaster.

Although it was a fine finish, he was turned far too easily for Rovers' equaliser by one-time Wolves target Billy Sharp four minutes before the break.

And he left the otherwise impressive debutant Matt Doherty in trouble in the build-up to the second, volleyed home by Jamie Hayter two minutes later.

By then, Wolves' man of the match Nenad Milijas had rifled his side in front with what he described as his best goal since coming to England; a deliciously unstoppable left foot blockbuster that ripped into the top corner of the net from fully 35 yards.

It was a lead that lasted just three minutes.

But both sides had already played a full part in a thrilling encounter that warmed Doncaster's lowest crowd of the season, 8,616.

Ward was inches away from putting Wolves ahead after just 30 seconds, when his first-time sweep at Steven Fletcher's cross flew just wide.

Sharp then drilled wide before Stearman forced a full length save from Neil Sullivan with a 25-yard rising drive in a rare foray forward from defence.

Sam Hird lobbed inches over the angle and Sharp had an effort disallowed as Doncaster threatened before Milijas' exorcet of a shot put the visitors ahead.

Then came Rovers' response, but Wolves hit back strongly after the break.

Ward had three half chances in nine minutes from the hour mark - all created by the hitherto under-used Matt Jarvis.

First the Irishman blazed over after Fletcher headed down Jarvis' cross, then an overhead kick forced a falling save before his header was brilliantly tipped over.

Jarvis also curled inches over after a raking diagonal pass from Milijas freed him for a run on goal.

Elokobi's dismissal put the brakes on Wolves' revival when it was in full flow, and after that there was only a Kevin Doyle shot that Sullivan failed to hold to show for their efforts.

Crucially though, Doncaster were unable to trouble Wolves at the other end despite their numerical advantage.

Wolves will hope they can make their Premier League quality count when they are back up to their full quota for the replay in eight days' time.

By Tim Nash