The home side were on top for long periods but were undone by some fine goalkeeping from the Baggies' Dean Kiely and some profligate finishing on their own part.

To rub salt into the wound, McCarthy was robbed of his own star keeper Matt Murray before the game after he suffered a suspected broken shoulder in training yesterday and Wayne Hennessey had to step in for a debut.

The former Republic of Ireland boss confirmed Murray will certainly miss Wednesday's return leg, before hailing the performance of what would have been his opposite number.

"All season there has been talk of inspired signings up and down the country and there's one," he said of Kiely.

"I know all about Deano. He's a fantastic goalie, a great pro and he has proved today what an asset a top keeper is.

"While there's no blame attached to our keeper, it just shows when you've got one that's right bang on form (what a difference it makes), and to lose one just before the game doesn't help."

Despite the absence of Murray, McCarthy claimed Wolves should have won the game.

"I shouldn't be sitting here as a defeated manager," he added.

"Dean Kiely had a huge influence on the game, their finishing when they had the opportunities has been better.

"We have run all over them for a large part of the game and been punished.

"But we will play exactly the same way so there is a bit more of that to come on Wednesday."

Kevin Phillips had given Albion the lead in the 25th minute when he rifled home from 20 yards after Gary Breen mis-kicked his clearance straight to the former Sunderland striker.

An apparent gesture to the home fans during his celebration prompted one supporter to run on to the pitch and be hauled down by stewards, but there is no indication yet of any possible recriminations for the diminutive frontman.

Centre-half Jody Craddock, another ex-Black Cat, rose to brilliantly glance Andy Keogh's left-wing cross into the far corner in the 44th minute to give Wolves a half-time boost and Seyi Olofinjana tapped home for 2-1 early in the second period.

A minute later Phillips was on hand again to head in a corner at the far post and level the scores, and the Baggies were bouncing again in the 72nd minute when Diomansy Kamara calmly placed a shot past Hennessey for the decider.

But despite the win, West Brom boss Tony Mowbray was far from happy with his team's showing and has promised major improvements for the second leg.

"I don't think it was very good performance. We can be a lot better than that and we will need to be, I would suggest," he said.

"There is plenty still to work on, we will be back on Tuesday and working on those things.

"There were some things we weren't too happy about."

He added: "The keeper needed to be good today and that gives you a clue where we weren't too great.

"We have come here in the past and the keeper has not had a save to make.

"Give Wolves lots of credit, they were at it today, dynamic, enthusiastic and they gave us lots of problems.

"It was the sort of game I thought it would be really, I had every intention of coming here and having a go, because that's our strength.

"That's Wolves' strength as well, and I'm sure it was a good spectacle to watch, plenty of goals, a good football match and a good spectacle for the division."

However, Mowbray insisted he could not be too glum after a win that has put his side within touching distance of an appearance at the new Wembley later this month.

"I'm not sitting here all mister grumpy. We have won 3-2 and it is a very difficult place to come and get a victory," he said.

"We are in the tie still and it is going to be a very tough 90 minutes come Wednesday night."

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