Michael Kightly came on as a 61st-minute substitute to inspire Wolves to a 2-1 win over Cambridge United in the third round of the FA Cup.The England Under-21 international scored a 69th-minute equaliser and crossed for Neill Collins to head in the winner, sparing manager Mick McCarthy's blushes after he had watched his team fall behind to a first-half penalty converted by Scott Rendell.

Kightly has been out for six weeks with ankle ligament injuries and Wolves' form has been poor in his absence.

"He made one and scored one but we shouldn't have had to rely on him," said McCarthy.

"He has been chirping at me to play. It was nice to have Michael Kightly back.

"I knew if I put him on the bench, he would create an atmosphere.

"It is a relief that we beat them at home - it is a relief but it was deserved.

"We've still won and we are in the hat. But we were as wasteful as anything."

Scottish centre back Collins gave away the penalty with a handball in the box - although both managers believed he was unlucky - but the former Sunderland defender redeemed himself with the winning goal in the 88th minute.

McCarthy added: "I was delighted for Neill - he's been great coming here for little money and playing left-back, right-back and centre-back.

"We played well in the first half. In the second half, it was always going to be a difficult - we were never going to play free-flowing football."

Cambridge were well organised and played a 4-5-1 formation to stifle Wolves and manager Jimmy Quinn claimed the free-kick which led to Collins' goal was a mistake by the referee. Mark Albrighton was penalised for a foul on Kightly.

"It was a great effort from the player," said Quinn. "The funny thing is one or two of our players spoke to the referee and he said he should not have given it.

"We rode our luck once or twice. It was disappointing. Our lads did well today - we played a lot of decent football.

"We usually defend a lot better than we did today.

"We've had four games in eight days and one or two of them are bit leggy.

"I'm disappointed for the fans and the players that we didn't get a replay."

More Football News from TEAMtalk