CHERRIES might want to add Mike Jones to their Christmas card list.

Before the man in black made the decision to dismiss Rajiv van La Parra in the 59th minute at Molineux, the hosts were – despite their lesser possession – on top.

Far from lacking confidence following four successive defeats, Wolves created plenty of chances in an action-packed first half, with their work on the flanks causing particular problems.

The faintest of headers from Danny Graham had put the home side in front at the break and they were worthy of that lead, only for the game to be turned on its head just before the hour.

Whistler Jones, a Premier League regular, had been handed control of the Championship clash after a controversial outing in Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat of Southampton at St Mary’s the previous weekend, a game in which both sides had cause for upset.

Jones might have wished for a quieter return to action but he did not shy away from big decisions.

There was no doubt that van La Parra’s right arm was raised when he approached Steve Cook to challenge for an aerial ball.

Whether or not he led with his elbow is arguable.

The Dutchman held his head as he walked away from the poleaxed defender but Jones immediately brandished the red card.

From that point, the game changed dramatically. Wolves, understandably keen to hold on to their lead and secure a first league victory since October 25, retreated into their shell and defended the 18-yard line desperately.

It was a rearguard effort that held out until the final 17 minutes when midfielder Harry Arter’s deflected strike and Matt Ritchie’s subsequent volley broke the hosts’ hearts.

Jones, who also dismissed Matt Doherty for an ugly challenge on Brett Pitman late on, left the pitch to vociferous boos from the home supporters and Wolves chairman Steve Morgan confronted the whistler as he crossed the touchline.

For the West Midlands side, rightly or wrongly, he was the villain of the piece.

For Cherries, he had set a comeback in motion.

Supporters barely had time to draw breath in a first period that provided chance after chance.

A loose pass from captain Tommy Elphick saw James Henry sting the palms of Artur Boruc in the eighth minute and moments later Carl Ikeme beat away a near-identical effort from Ritchie.

Pitman skied as the ball ran away from him but then Wolves began to exert control on proceedings.

They so nearly went in front in the 16th minute when right-back Dominic Iorfa’s deflected effort was parried by Boruc and van La Parra diverted into the side-netting from a narrow angle.

Boruc gobbled up a later van La Parra effort and the lively frontman then floated in a cross that Graham met well with his head, only for the Polish international to tip over.

Restored to the starting line-up following a hamstring injury, Callum Wilson clipped a rare Cherries chance over the bar following a surging run by Simon Francis.

The visitors appeared to have reached the break safely when Elphick headed away a dangerous free-kick but in the 41st minute the deadlock was broken.

Henry checked onto his right foot and swung in a cross that Graham flicked towards the far post and the ball bounced into the net off the inside of the upright.

Ritchie nearly opened the second period with a goal when he forced Ikeme to gather at the second attempt, following Andrew Surman’s lay-off from a free-kick.

Jones then sent van La Parra in for an early shower and Cherries prodded and probed with a near-monopoly on possession.

The first contribution of Adam Smith – on for Charlie Daniels – was to dive inside off the left wing and unleash a swerving effort that grazed the side-netting.

Cook might have levelled matters when Pitman’s deflected shot dropped into his path but the centre-back stabbed over from 12 yards.

Finally, the leveller arrived. Ritchie pulled the ball back from the left flank and following Surman’s clever dummy, Arter collected and smashed a deflected effort home from 20 yards.

Wilson’s cross dribbled harmlessly across the face of goal and then Ritchie netted after a frantic passage of play.

Initially, Ritchie’s drive was parried by Ikeme and moments later Wilson saw his header handled off the line by Doherty. Following a bout of head tennis, the ball dropped to Ritchie eight yards out and the wide man’s volley melted through covering players and into the net.

That prompted chants of ‘2-1 to the referee’ from the home fans and their mood was not improved when Jones dismissed Doherty in stoppage time for an ill-advised lunge on Pitman.

Moments later, the final whistle sounded. For the referee it was an uncomfortable walk back into the tunnel. For Cherries, there was only elation.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Boruc 7.5; Francis 6.5, Elphick 6.5, Cook 6.5, Daniels 6.5 (Smith, 68); Ritchie 7.5, Surman 7.5, Arter 7.5, Pugh 6.5 (Kermorgant, 73); Pitman 7, Wilson 6.5 (Gosling, 90). Unused subs: Fraser, O’Kane, Stanislas, Camp (g/k).

Booked: Arter, Daniels.

Wolves: Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Doherty; Henry (Jacobs, 76), McDonald, Edwards, Sako (Clarke, 88); van La Parra, Graham (McAlinden, 85). Unused subs: Rowe, Price, Hause, Kuszczak (g/k).

Booked: Stearman, Iorfa, McDonald.

Sent off: van La Parra, Doherty.

Referee: Mike Jones (Chester).

Attendance: 20,196 (inc 1,828 away supporters).

STAR MAN - MATT RITCHIE

MATT Ritchie has a habit of exploding into life in games and once more he proved himself one of Cherries’ leading creative forces.

The winger had a hand in the Harry Arter’s leveller and lashed home the second after cleverly peeling into space, expertly directing through bodies on the line.

The former Swindon man was keen to get shots off throughout the game and stretched keeper Carl Ikeme on a number of occasions.

More goals will flow Ritchie’s way if he continues his positive approach and his passing expertise and vision will prove invaluable to Cherries over the coming months.