The Norwegian international cancelled out Mikael Forssell’s opener for Steve Bruce’s side – his fifth goal in eight games since his loan move from Chelsea.

The Blues had been indebted to some fine saves from Maik Taylor in the opening 45 minutes but they had looked in control after the break until Iversen’s close range finish knocked them out of their stride.

City, who had taken 10 points from their previous five away games, were the first to settle and a through ball from David Dunn picked out Forssell but he was crowded out by the home defence.

Denis Irwin became the first player to be booked after nine minutes for bringing down Forssell by the touch-line after Alex Rae had lost out in a challenge with the Finnish international.

Wolves started to build up some momentum and they forced a string of corners and came close on three occasions in as many minutes to taking the lead.

Iversen’s 20 yard drive contained plenty of power and was turned around the post by Blues ’keeper Taylor at the expense of yet another corner.

Rae’s resulting centre was turned goal-bound by Jody Craddock and was headed off the line by fit again City full-back Damien Johnson.

Then Taylor again did well to parry away a close range shot from Iversen who tried to side-foot the ball into the net.

Wolves fans felt that Stephen Clemence illegally prevented Henri Camara from reaching the rebound but referee Graham Barber waved play on.

It was 27 minutes before home ’keeper Michael Oakes was called upon to make a worthwhile save when he beat out a shot on the turn from Christophe Dugarry.

In a Blues counter-attack Craddock did well to poke the ball away from Forssell following a low Johnson cross.

Dugarry needed treatment in the first minute of the second half after being caught in a 50-50 challenge with Rae.

Savage angered the home fans by protesting about the challenge to referee Barber who deemed a free-kick sufficient punishment.

But after 50 minutes Blues went ahead through Forssell’s fifth goal in eight games – with Dugarry the provider.

The Frenchman played the ball into the path of Forssell who took advantage of a slip by Lee Naylor and tucked his left-footed shot past Oakes.

The same combination nearly struck again with Forssell this time taking on Craddock and screwing his shot just wide.

Jones made his first substitution after 60 minutes, taking off Miller and replacing him with Shaun Newton.

Dugarry went into the referee’s note-book for allegedly diving in the Wolves penalty area to leave him just one booking away from suspension.

Then after 70 minutes Iversen brought Wolves back on level terms. Rae’s corner was mis-hit back across goal by Paul Butler and then turned by Henri Camara back to Iversen who scrambled the ball home from close range.

Iversen could have won the game in injury-time but he failed to make proper contact with Camara’s centre.