No losers as draw follows script

SOCCER: Roy Keane's unconvincing handshake was the least of Mick McCarthy's concerns at Molineux last night after the Wolves…

SOCCER:Roy Keane's unconvincing handshake was the least of Mick McCarthy's concerns at Molineux last night after the Wolves manager saw a performance that merited a victory deliver only a point when Ireland's Stephen Elliott snatched a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

McCarthy had promised not to "rub (Keane's) nose in it" should his side win but he could have been forgiven for doing so had they held on. There had been moves to repair their relationship but this was the first occasion when the managers publicly demonstrated reconciliation.

McCarthy waited for Keane before kick-off, anxious to draw a line under differences that surfaced in Saipan four years ago.

Keane and McCarthy settled their differences last month in a phone call about possible transfers.

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"Everybody has been dragging it (the row) out and dragging it out," McCarthy said after the match.

"The media were desperate to see a bad reaction tonight but all you have seen is a very good reaction and a terrific football match."

Keane said: "It's all history. I think the media have made a bigger issue of it than it is. I find it quite boring now. We'll have a drink later, just like I do with all the other managers".

McCarthy returned to his former club four weeks ago to secure the loan signing of Neill Collins and that deal prompted a conversation with Keane that brought an end to their bitter stand-off.