Goal-shy Wolves twice came from behind to claim a point in their vital relegation clash at Hull. Scoring for the first time in five games, Mick McCarthy's side snatched a draw against their fellow strugglers with a bizarre Anthony Gardner own goal and a Matt Jarvis strike. Hull, who missed a chance to move out of the bottom three, twice led, firstly through an early Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink effort and then a penalty from Stephen Hunt.

Afterwards, talk quickly turned to the future of the Ireland winger who has attracted attention and three failed bids from the Molineux club. "You and me can dance around our handbags all evening and you'll still be asking me that question," said Mick McCarthy evasively when asked about his interest.

However Phil Brown was far more surefooted when he spoke about the future of the Laois man. "[Stephen Hunt] did show for me that he wanted to be a Hull City player and I think he showed that to the fans as well," noted Brown. "I'm very confident [he will stay] and the chairman is working very hard to sort out the finances. If I sold Stephen Hunt these fans would go crazy."

With Wolves having scored just 17 times in their previous 22 outings and Hull striking just three times in their last seven, goals were expected to be at a premium. Yet the game was surprisingly open with both sides creating numerous opportunities in their search for points.

Hull were forced to make a change in defence with Steven Mouyokolo replacing the injured Kamil Zayatte but Brown dropped four others to the bench in an obvious shake-up. His changes paired Jozy Altidore up front with Vennegoor of Hesselink and 19-year-old Tom Cairney was handed a first league start.

Yet Wolves, who made just one change, had the first half-chance when Kevin Foley got past Mouyokolo but shot wide from a tight angle. Despite their interest in the winger, Wolves had no intention of going easy on Hunt and Jody Craddock crudely tackled the winger early on.

But Hull struck after 11 minutes as Altidore raced onto a long ball and shrugged off the attention of Christophe Berra. The American, returning from compassionate leave due to having relatives in devastated Haiti, then found Vennegoor of Hesselink on the edge of the area. The Dutchman needed little invitation to shoot and fired low past Marcus Hahnemann with a clinical left-footed drive.

Wolves spurned a good chance to equalise quickly when an unmarked Foley headed narrowly wide from a Jarvis corner. Stephen Ward then stole in to shoot for Wolves after Bernard Mendy missed a crossfield pass but his well-struck effort flew wide. Despite those chances, the goal-starved Wolves fans were growing frustrated and unhappy with just Kevin Doyle up front.

However, Wolves were gifted their first equaliser three minutes after the break as Anthony Gardner committed a horrendous gaffe. Ronald Zubar, whose previous touches had often left something to be desired, dispossessed Hunt and lobbed a harmless cross into the box. Gardner was under no pressure as he attempted to sweep clear but the ball spun wickedly off his left foot and looped over Boaz Myhill.

It was a hugely welcome break for the visitors but they enjoyed their stroke of fortune for just four minutes before Hull hit back. Zubar this time cost his side as he bundled over Altidore in the box as the American chased an innocuous ball. Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot and Hunt stepped up to fire in his sixth of the season.

Jones had a chance to level when he beat Paul McShane in the area but Myhill stood up well to save. Altidore was then similarly thwarted by Hahnemann at the other end and Hull rued the miss as Wolves did pull level through Jarvis after 67 minutes.

Hull twice missed opportunities to clear a Foley cross and Jarvis squeezed a shot past Myhill with aid of a slight deflection off McShane to gain a precious point.