By Phil Dawkes BBC Sport

Terry Connor's reign as Wolves manager got off to a promising start as they came from two goals down to earn a draw at Newcastle.

Connor was appointed on Friday and given 13 games to save the west Midlands club from relegation.

But they fell behind to a sixth-minute Papiss Cisse goal before Jonas Gutierrez doubled Newcastle's lead.

However, Matt Jarvis's strike gave Wolves hope and Kevin Doyle secured Connor's side a deserved point.

The reputation of Wolves owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey will stand or fall with the success of Connor, who has spent over a decade on the staff at Molineux but has never managed at a professional club.

Only ourselves to blame - Pardew

In Friday's news conference, the pair offered an eloquent and heartfelt defence of the recruitment process that led to Connor's appointment, insisting they were "delighted" with their choice.

With "13 cup finals" - including this - to play, only confident, disciplined and spirited performances on the pitch will save Wanderers from the drop.

While it was not entirely disciplined, especially in the first quarter of the match, Wolves' increasingly confident display left no doubt as to their strength of spirit.

Under Mick McCarthy, Connor's predecessor, Wolves' Achilles heel was their defensive frailty: they conceded 49 goals in 25 Premier League games.

But the new boss made three changes to his back-line - including dropping captain Roger Johnson - and, barring one costly slip from Christophe Berra for the opening goal, they were much more compact and organised.

Connor was not helped by the absence of top-scorer Steven Fletcher with a virus, but Doyle's work-rate was exceptional and it was fitting that he scored the equalising goal.

Alan Pardew's appointment as Newcastle boss in 2010 was greeted by fans with similar incredulity to Connor's, but he slowly won over the Toon Army, thanks in part to an 11-game unbeaten run at the start of this season.

Connor enjoys "vital" draw at Newcastle

Taught a harsh lesson during their 5-0 defeat by Tottenham last week, Newcastle started this game superbly.

Yohan Cabaye robbed Berra and teed up Demba Ba for a backheeled shot that was saved and half-cleared, but, from Cheick Tiote's scuffed attempt, Cisse was able to side-foot home.

Then, Doyle headed a long ball only as far as Gutierrez, who took a touch before hammering a shot from 30 yards into the same top corner Cisse had found 12 minutes earlier.

Even with less than a quarter of the game gone it was difficult to see how Wolves could come back, but Connor's first half-time team-talk rejuvinated his side.

After a period of dominance, Jarvis picked up a Doyle pass on the edge of the area and curled a shot beyond Tim Krul courtesy of a deflection off Danny Simpson.

On the hour, Newcastle's Mike Williamson failed to clear a long ball into the six-yard box and Doyle was on hand to hook home from close range to make it 2-2, a scoreline which, barring a brace of 20-yard efforts from home substitute Hatem Ben Arfa that flew past the post, Wolves comfortably held until the final whistle.

Despite the lost points, Newcastle still have their eye on the top four. For Connor and Wolves, there are 12 "cup finals" to go.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Newcastle United

  • 26 Krul
  • 02 Coloccini
  • 03 Santon
  • 05 Simpson
  • 06 Williamson
  • 16 R Taylor (Guthrie - 65' )
  • 04 Cabaye
  • 18 Gutierrez
  • 24 Tiote (Sh Ameobi - 80' Booked )
  • 09 Cisse (Ben Arfa - 65' )
  • 19 Ba

Substitutes

  • 35 Elliot
  • 14 Perch
  • 31 Ferguson
  • 08 Guthrie
  • 10 Ben Arfa
  • 25 Obertan
  • 23 Sh Ameobi

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • 01 Hennessey
  • 05 Stearman
  • 11 Ward
  • 16 Berra Booked
  • 23 Zubar
  • 32 Foley (Milijas - 90' )
  • 04 Edwards
  • 08 Henry
  • 17 Jarvis (Hunt - 85' )
  • 24 O'Hara (Kightly - 70' )
  • 29 Doyle

Substitutes

  • 31 De Vries
  • 06 Craddock
  • 14 Johnson
  • 07 Kightly
  • 12 Hunt
  • 20 Milijas
  • 09 Ebanks-Blake
Ref: Walton
Att: 52,287

Match Stats

Shots

13 7

On target

8 6

Corners

3 3

Fouls

8 8

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:16 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +4:48

Hatem Ben Arfa produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

90:00 +3:30

Christophe Berra concedes a free kick for a foul on Tim Krul. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:27 Substitution

Substitution Nenad Milijas on for Kevin Foley.

90:00 +1:11 Booking

Booking Christophe Berra goes into the book.

90:00 +0:24

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Michael Kightly from the left by-line, save by Tim Krul.

88:49

Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

88:49 Booking

Booking Shola Ameobi goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

88:29

Shola Ameobi concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Hennessey.

86:10

Shot from outside the area by Hatem Ben Arfa misses to the left of the goal.

84:42 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Hunt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Matthew Jarvis.

83:26

Karl Henry has an effort at goal. Mike Williamson gets a block in.

82:52

The ball is sent over by Danny Simpson, comfortable save by Wayne Hennessey.

80:45

Yohan Cabaye takes a inswinging corner.

79:51 Substitution

Substitution Shola Ameobi comes on in place of Cheick Tiote.

77:54

Christophe Berra concedes a free kick for a foul on Demba Ba. Cheick Tiote takes the free kick.

77:16

The assistant referee flags for offside against Demba Ba. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

76:25

Kevin Doyle concedes a free kick for a foul on Hatem Ben Arfa. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

76:16

The ball is swung over by Michael Kightly, clearance by Mike Williamson.

75:15

Unfair challenge on Danny Guthrie by Michael Kightly results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Yohan Cabaye.

69:43

Indirect free kick taken by Tim Krul.

69:43 Substitution

Substitution Jamie O'Hara leaves the field to be replaced by Michael Kightly.

69:43

Davide Santon fouled by Kevin Doyle, the ref awards a free kick.

67:35

Yohan Cabaye takes a shot. Comfortable save by Wayne Hennessey.

65:45

Assist by Jamie O'Hara.

65:45 Goal scored

Goal - Kevin Doyle - Newcastle 2 - 2 Wolves Kevin Doyle finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Newcastle 2-2 Wolverhampton.

64:24

The free kick is delivered left-footed by Jamie O'Hara from right wing.

64:24 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Taylor leaves the field to be replaced by Danny Guthrie.

64:24 Substitution

Substitution (Newcastle) makes a substitution, with Hatem Ben Arfa coming on for Papiss Cisse.

64:24

Ronald Zubar fouled by Cheick Tiote, the ref awards a free kick.

62:10

Ronald Zubar is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

61:41

Papiss Cisse has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target.

61:27

Karl Henry takes a short corner.

60:58

Corner taken right-footed by Matthew Jarvis.

59:16

Stephen Ward takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a save.

55:46

Kevin Foley concedes a free kick for a foul on Mike Williamson. Direct free kick taken by Tim Krul.

55:06

The referee blows for offside. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

53:40

Jamie O'Hara produces a cross.

52:48

Yohan Cabaye produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses left.

51:25

Jonas Gutierrez sends in a cross, save by Wayne Hennessey.

49:35

Kevin Doyle provided the assist for the goal.

49:35 Goal scored

Goal - Matthew Jarvis - Newcastle 2 - 1 Wolves A goal is scored by Matthew Jarvis from just outside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. Newcastle 2-1 Wolverhampton.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +2:21 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

41:08

Ryan Taylor takes a shot. Blocked by Stephen Ward.

36:18

Christophe Berra gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Demba Ba. Free kick taken by Ryan Taylor.

33:29

David Edwards is caught offside. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

32:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie O'Hara by Fabricio Coloccini. Jamie O'Hara takes the free kick.

31:36

Headed effort from inside the area by Papiss Cisse misses to the left of the goal.

31:01

A cross is delivered by Matthew Jarvis, save made by Tim Krul.

29:50

Mike Williamson concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie O'Hara. Free kick taken by Jamie O'Hara.

28:29

Kevin Doyle produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

27:51

The assistant referee signals for offside against Papiss Cisse. Christophe Berra takes the free kick.

26:31

Demba Ba takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor from the right by-line, clearance made by Richard Stearman.

17:06 Goal scored

Goal - Jonas Gutierrez - Newcastle 2 - 0 Wolves Jonas Gutierrez grabs a goal from long range to the top left corner of the goal. Newcastle 2-0 Wolverhampton.

16:41

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor from the left by-line, Karl Henry manages to make a clearance.

16:10

Effort on goal by Danny Simpson from 30 yards. Save by Wayne Hennessey.

13:34

Danny Simpson concedes a free kick for a foul on Matthew Jarvis. Stephen Ward takes the direct free kick.

12:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Stearman by Papiss Cisse. Free kick taken by Karl Henry.

11:11

The offside flag is raised against Jonas Gutierrez. Ronald Zubar takes the direct free kick.

5:11

Cheick Tiote provided the assist for the goal.

5:11 Goal scored

Goal - Papiss Cisse - Newcastle 1 - 0 Wolves Papiss Cisse finds the net with a goal from inside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Newcastle 1-0 Wolverhampton.

5:07

Cheick Tiote takes a shot. Blocked by Papiss Cisse.

3:41

Jamie O'Hara gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Cheick Tiote. Ryan Taylor takes the free kick.

3:10

Demba Ba takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.

2:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle by Mike Williamson. Strike comes in from Jamie O'Hara from the free kick.

1:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Cheick Tiote on Karl Henry. Jamie O'Hara takes the direct free kick.

0:44

Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Comfortable save by Tim Krul.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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