A GOALKEEPING gaffe by Thomas Myhre cost Sunderland the chance to move level with leaders Ipswich Town last night, but manager Mick McCarthy refused to point the finger of blame at the Norwegian international.

Myhre came to collect a routine cross from Mark Kennedy only to be beaten to the ball by Wolves' South Korean forward Seol Ki-Hyeon whose looping header found an empty net.

The fact that Sunderland had taken the lead just 60 seconds earlier added to the disappointment, but the Black Cats boss had no axe to grind.

He said: "Tommy's been outstanding for us. He's come to try and affect the game and get the ball back and stop the attack.

"But sadly it's ended up in the back of the net, but we'll take the point. We would have taken a point if we'd put the fixtures down and looked at them before the season began.

"I don't like projecting but a point at Molineux would have been acceptable. I thought we played well in the first half. We had some good chances in the first half but in the second they nullified us.

"It was a scrappy game and it wasn't any kind of a spectacle but yes I'll take the point and be happy with it.

"I would have liked to have the opportunity of being in front a bit longer and putting them under pressure and see how they coped as the home side being 1-0 down for any length of time.

"But we didn't have that luxury."

Stephen Elliott gave the Black Cats the lead with a cracking strike in the 13th minute and it appeared McCarthy would be celebrating his 100th game in charge with a win.

A three goal victory would have sent the Black Cats top but Glenn Hoddle's side fought back and had the best chances after the break with the Wearsiders happy to hang on for the point.

McCarthy said: "They must be really sick of him (Elliott) because he scored a great one up at the Stadium of Light.

"It was a great left-footed strike but he's got that in his locker.

"I'm not really into that self analysis (100th game) - I'll leave that to the media.

"Going top would have made a bit of difference to the lads coming in on Monday. But we want to be top two on May 8.

"That will suit us just fine."

After a lively opening half the game struggled to reach the same heights after the break with chances few and far between.

The bumpy Molineux surface deteriorated as the game progressed and McCarthy believed that didn't help in the second half.

"The pitch isn't conducive to a good game and that doesn't suit them either," said McCarthy

"We've had to defend in the second half because they were putting it into their big lads."

McCarthy had no regrets about bringing back Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell at the expense of Collins duo, Danny and Neill, and believed his decision was vindicated.

He said: "Bringing those two lads back is the sort of decision you have to make as a manager. Leaving out those two (Danny and Neill Collins) was a big decision.

"I know it was the right decision. I know that was my strongest team available. That was my most experienced side.

"It was a tough decision but yes it was the right decision.

"I think people underestimate - as we are ticking the games off - the pressure that grows.

"It's great young lads coming into the team doing well. But you need some experience.

"I'm not guessing that - I know it because I've been in that situation myself."

Read more about Sunderland here.