Leigh Griffiths scored a controversial injury time penalty to deny Crawley a draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Billy Clarke looked to have earned Reds a famous result when he fired home a last gasp equaliser to cancel out Bjorn Sigurdarson’s early header.

But referee Simon Hooper adjudged Kyle McFadzean had handled a cross from Kevin McDonald inside the area and Leigh Griffiths smashed home the resultant penalty.

It was harsh on Crawley who had given as good as they had got against their illustrious opponents and had arguably created the better chances throughout the game.

Wolves made a blistering start and Paul Jones had already had to throw himself full length to keep out an effort from Sigurdarson when they took the lead after seven minutes.

Kevin Doyle hung up a cross from the left-hand byline and Sigurdarson got above his marker to nod the ball inside the far post from six yards.

Falling behind so early was the last thing Crawley would have wanted and they nearly conceded again after 14 minutes when Bakary Sako headed another cross from Doyle wide.

Crawley were clinging on a little in the early stages but once they had weathered the early storm they grew in composure and confidence.

Nicky Adams was unable to convert a good chance when he shot wide and Joe Walsh squandered a golden opportunity to equalise in the 23rd minute as he somehow pulled his effort past the post from six yards when it looked easier to score.

Crawley continued to look dangerous for the rest of the first half and Adams forced Carl Ikeme into a decent save with a low shot from 20 yards.

The visitors started the second half brightly too with Ikeme turning a shot from Adams around the post while at the other end Paul Jones tipped over a long-range piledriver from Lee Evans.

Sigurdarson came close to a second when he was just unable to get a decisive touch as he slid in to connect with a low cross from Zeli Ismail.

Paul Jones then pulled off a fine save flying to his left to turn a well-hit free kick from Sako around a post.

Jones also did well to keep out a curling effort from Ismail while at the other end Mike Jones fizzed a shot from 25 yards inches over the bar.

Richie Barker threw caution to the wind by bringing on Jamie Proctor and Luke Rooney and it paid dividends as they snatched an equaliser in injury time.

Proctor laid the ball into the path of Clarke on the edge of the box and he struck a low shot past Ikeme which went in off the far post.

Crawley had their hearts broken two minutes later as Wolves grabbed a winner from the penalty spot. McFadzean was adjudged to have handled a cross in the area and substitute Leigh Griffiths smashed home from the spot.