Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Jody Craddock rescued a point with a second-half double after his side had been outplayed in the opening 45 minutes of a pulsating Staffordshire derby at the Britannia Stadium.

The 34-year-old had previously scored only eight league goals in six seasons at Molineux but he salvaged an unlikely share of the spoils, both from crosses by substitute Nenad Milijas.

An own goal from George Elokobi and Matthew Etherington's stunning volley had put Stoke in command after dominating the first period.

They mixed up effectively the threat of the long throws of Rory Delap with some composed and neat football in exploiting the lack of pace in the Wolves back four.

Etherington looked back to his best with his probing runs down the left flank while Glenn Whelan effectively broke up play in the centre of the park.

The visitors also had problems dealing with the aerial threat and power of James Beattie.

But it was a different story after the break with the introduction of Milijas who set up both goals for Craddock although Stoke will be unhappy with their defending at the two set pieces.

Wolves were allowed the space that had been denied them in the first half and had time to pick out their passes as Stoke lost their shape and pattern.

Wolves striker Michael Kightly had the first attempt on goal after good play by Kevin Doyle but Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen was not troubled by his 30-yard drive.

Christophe Berra was fortunate to escape a booking after a late challenge on Ricardo Fuller, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, as the match got under way at a frenetic pace.

Fuller was coming in for early rough treatment and was again chopped down by Craddock. From Whelan's resulting free-kick, the home side appealed in vain for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Chris Iwelumo in the defensive wall.

Fuller glanced a header wide from a long Delap throw-in before Stoke went ahead after 18 minutes.

Sorensen started the move with a quick throw out to Etherington who outstripped Wolves right-back Ronald Zubar before crossing the ball into the box.

Wolves defender Elokobi could only deflect the ball into his own net when under severe pressure from Beattie.

Beattie looked in serious trouble when he went down clutching his knee after falling awkwardly and it was a surprise when he was able to continue after treatment.

Etherington was causing Wolves problems and a pass picked out the run of Fuller. But he was crowded out as he lined up a shot and Beattie drilled his attempt from a narrow angle over the bar.

Beattie then forced a fine one-handed save out of Wayne Hennessey away to his right from a deep centre by Ryan Shawcross.

Kightly became the first player to be yellow-carded for hauling down Etherington in full flight after 34 minutes.

Midfielder David Edwards also went in referee Chris Foy's notebook after a challenge on Abdoulaye Faye six minutes before the interval.

It came as no surprise when Etherington doubled Stoke's lead two minutes before the interval.

Berra headed clear a Delap throw but Etherington chested the ball down and volleyed home from the the edge of the Wolves box in superb style to give a truer picture of Stoke's dominance.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made a half-time substitution, bringing on Milijas in place of Segundo Castillo. And within 60 seconds Milijas had played a role in reducing the arrears.

His inswinging free-kick was flicked on by Berra and at the far post Craddock was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from what might have been in an offside position.

Stoke were stunned by this early reversal and Sorensen needed to be alert to deal with a powerful free-kick from a similar position by Milijas.

Elokobi completed a trio of Wolves bookings after bringing down the impressive Etherington in full flight.

Beattie was only just off target after attacking a near post cross from Shawcross. But after 64 minutes Craddock struck for the second time to bring Wolves on level terms.

Milijas was again the creator with a near post corner and no-one picked up Craddock whose flick header flew past Sorensen.

Faye could have grabbed a winner for Stoke but sent his free header over the bar from an Etherington corner.