Wolves lost just their second Championship game of the season in a tight battle at promotion rivals Middlesbrough.
The hosts were the better side in a difficult first half, in which Wolves were industrious but lacked any cutting edge.
Chances were at a premium but eventually the prolific Will Lankshear got a sniff at goal and headed Boro ahead early in the second half.
Wolves made attacking changes and dominated large spells of the game after conceding, but they were unable to force an equaliser on their travels.
Analysis
Cesar Peixoto made one change to the team that beat West Brom before the international break.
Tommy Doyle made his first Championship start of the season, replacing Fer Lopez who picked up a knee injury but was fit enough for the bench.
Jordan James also sustained a foot problem on international duty but was still named among the substitutes and he was joined by the returning Ladislav Krejci and Rafiki Said, who was named in his first squad after suffering an MCL knee injury in pre-season.
Boubacar Traore has been sidelined with a calf injury and is expected to be out for a few weeks, while Bertrand Traore was not involved as he builds up fitness.
Tawanda Chirewa also missed out, while Raul Jimenez is sidelined with a knee problem and Yerson Mosquera is working his way back from an ankle issue.
The players walked out to a brilliant atmosphere at the Riverside Stadium for Middlesbrough’s 150th anniversary fixture.
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The hosts started well and the first chance came when Callum Brittain got the better of Hugo Bueno and crossed low, but Wolves were able to clear their lines.
Nasser Djiga’s huge mistake nearly gave Boro the lead, as he lost the ball to Riley McGree on the edge of the box and then pulled the opposition player back. A yellow card was given, despite Boro asking for red, and the resulting free-kick was directed over the bar.
Wolves survived a storm from the hosts and could have taken the lead when Adam Armstrong stole the ball from goalkeeper Radek Vitek and was near the byline unchallenged, but he could not pick out a Wolves player in the box.
Rodrigo Gomes was lively on the right wing as Wolves looked dangerous from counter attacking opportunities, but it was Boro that seemed most likely to score after 30 minutes, as Lankshear came close to meeting a cross at the far post.
Wolves did force a save when Marshall Munetsi turned and shot, before the two sides entered half-time at 0-0.
There were no changes at half-time, despite R.Gomes picking up a first half knock and the winger was slightly limping in the early stages of the second half.
Then, in the 51st minute, he was replaced by Said who made his Wolves debut.
Just moments after coming on Said was booked for diving by referee Farai Hallam, but replays appeared to show it should have been a free-kick to Wolves outside the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Tommy Conway beat Kieran Trippier too easily to lift a cross to the back post, where Lankshear beat Bueno in the air to head home.
Wolves immediately made a triple change and looked far more threatening in attack, as James started a move that resulted in Said’s cross nearly finding Armstrong.
As the minutes ticked by, Wolves continued to dominate proceedings but became increasingly frustrated at the lack of chances they could create.
Boro nearly got a second when the ball hit the bar during a scramble from a corner.
Wolves pushed for a late equaliser but were unable to force one final big chance, as they were condemned to defeat.
Key Moments
GOAL 57 Lankshear heads Boro ahead
Teams
Wolves: Sa, Trippier, Djiga, Toti, Bueno, Andre (Neave, 82), Munetsi (James, 61), R.Gomes (Said, 51), Doyle (Lopez, 61), Mane (Bellegarde, 61), Armstrong.
Subs not used: Virginia, Krejci, Konan, Tchatchoua.
Middlesbrough: Vitek, Brittain, Malanda, Phillips, Borges, Morris, Berhalter (Ayling, 70), Cozier-Duberry (Arfsten, 87), Conway (Peart-Harris, 70), McGree (Sarmiento, 80), Lankshear (Joseph, 87).
Subs not used: Brynn, Byram, Barron, Castledine.
Looked totally different when we brought the subs on
Well deserved. We were very poor.