RAFA BENITEZ has questioned why referee Graham Scott didn’t give goalkeeper Martin Dubravka greater protection after watching Newcastle United let a victory slip deep into stoppage-time at Molineux.

Debate was quick to rage after Wolves defender Willy Boly had headed in an equaliser to cancel out Isaac Hayden’s 57th minute opener in the Premier League encounter.

Boly climbed at the back post to nod in a deep cross from former Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore and his arms were around Dubravka’s neck.

The Northern Echo:

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez consoles Matt Ritchie after the Premier League match at Molineux, Wolverhampton. Picture: PA

While there is an argument the Slovakian should have been stronger as he backpedalled to catch the delivery, Boly’s arms were clearly around the Newcastle custodian when he headed over the line.

It is the second time the Wolves defender has been at the centre of a storm in Newcastle games this season, having also got away with an elbow to the face of Ayoze Perez in the December meeting at St James’ Park.

“It doesn’t change anything, like the first game didn’t change anything when we had a player with a broken nose,” said Benitez.

“The first game we had a player with a broken nose, we conceded in the last minute and we should have had a penalty and there should have been a red card, but nobody said anything.

“The situation is to protect the goalkeeper, so you are supposed to protect the keeper, we have been here for years, and it is very difficult to explain that.”

Benitez tried hard not to go overboard with his comments, having previously been hit by a fine for comments about officials earlier in the campaign.

But it was clear the Spaniard was frustrated when he headed down the tunnel following Boly’s leveller in the fifth minute of added time.

“You have to be really disappointed with the way we conceded in both games against this team, to concede in the last minute,” said Benitez, whose side lost 2-1 before Christmas when Matt Doherty scored late.

“After the first game, it was really disappointing to concede in this way against a good team.

“In England they don’t understand the rules, you can say whatever you want to say.

“It was maybe a foul before too, you can say many things like the 94 minutes, but it will not change what happened. Like the first game we couldn’t say too much and it didn’t change what happened.”

Dubravka and skipper Jamaal Lascelles trudged off the pitch after a debrief following the incident, while Fabian Schar sat grounded and deflated following Boly’s goal.

Newcastle had worked hard to keep an attacking minded Wolves at bay, so it was galling to leave Molineux with just a point that lifted them back above Cardiff.

“I am disappointed and I was happy with the performance of the team, I am happy with a lot of things and happy with the way we played,” he said.

“The disappointment is clear for everyone. Martin was talking about more protection, Jamaal was maybe saying Martin could deal with the cross in another way. It was another bad way to concede.

“We played against a good team, we have one more point and it’s a pity. We knew we could cope quite well.”

Newcastle travelled to Spain immediately after the game for a five-day training break and a friendly with CSKA Moscow on Saturday – when Miguel Almiron is expected to get more minutes after making his debut as a substitute at Wolves.

Benitez said: “We go to Spain now, we will try to train well and be together for the new players for the new team-mates. The team as a team put in the effort, they have some players with the quality and it was a good display and now we can enjoy Spain.”

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo felt his side, who sit seventh, deserved to have got something out of the game.

He said: “To the last minute, the last second, until the referee whistle we kept going. I am pleased, that is something we have to keep doing, showing this character.

“In the first half we created a lot of chances but the final touch was not there against a team that was well organised.

“The story of the game could have been different. We had a lot of situations and combinations when we might be able to score next time.”