Returning Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was denied a dream start to his second spell in charge as a late Raul Jimenez penalty earned Wolverhampton Wanderers a point in the Championship season opener at Molineux.

Wolves, rated by many as likely promotion contenders, looked to be on their way to an expected three points when Marshall Munetsi powered them ahead on 18 minutes.

But Rovers levelled nine minutes later through Sean McLoughlin's first goal for the club - and completed a turnaround when Andri Gudjohnsen scored three minutes into the second half.

Mowbray's men defended stoutly for the majority of the second half - and even looked like adding to their lead before Ryan Alebiosu's clumsy handball resulted in a penalty awarded by referee Farai Hallam.

Second-half substitute Jimenez kept his cool after a long, stuttering approach to find the bottom right corner from the spot.

Although they scored with two of only three efforts they managed on target, Wolves had attacked with real pace and looked the dominant side before the break.

They finally they got the goal their fans were craving when summer signing Kieran Trippier neatly weighted a pass inside from the right flank, Fer Lopez spun his marker to deliver a lovely pass down the inside-left channel and Munetsi ran through to finish left-footed past Rovers keeper Balazs Toth.

But Rovers quickly levelled when, from a corner, the visitors retained possession and Ryoya Morishita curled over a right-wing near-post cross and McLoughlin deftly glanced his header across home keeper Dan Bentley and into the bottom corner.

Twice Rovers survived when Lopez and Mateus Mane both caught the home backline flatfooted only to fire wickedly dipping shots just over the bar.

But Wolves were made to pay when Gudjohnsen - son of former Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen - netted from close range at the near post following Dapo Afolayan's burst down the right.

The mood changed as Wolves failed to find the spark they were looking for despite the introduction of Jimenez - and it looked like former West Bromwich Albion boss Mowbray's men would see it out.

But Jackson Tchatchoua's cross struck the outstretched right arm of the hapless Alebiosu on the edge of the penalty area, referee Hallam was in no doubt - and Jimenez did the rest.

He and his wife had marked his league return to Molineux by kitting out 5,000 fans with black scarves saying 'SI SENOR' to acknowledge his old terrace song - and they were raised in union as he slotted home the spot-kick.

After two Friday night home games to kick off the season, Wolves return to action on Saturday, 22 August with a first away outing of the campaign at Deepdale against Preston North End.

By contrast, Rovers follow successive away matches with a first game of the season the same day at Ewood Park, when Mowbray can expect an emotional homecoming - especially as the visitors are another of his former sides, Middlesbrough.

Both Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto and Mowbray have said they are still hoping to make new signings before the August transfer window closes - but whether any will feature next weekend remains to be seen.

Wolves have this week been strongly linked with Wales international Jordan James, who is currently with French side Rennes, two years on from his reported £4m move from Birmingham City and having spent last season back in England on loan at Leicester City.

Wolves head coach Cesar Peixoto told BBC Radio WM:

"In the first half we created better chances, we had the ball with us and we attacked more.

"In the second half when we conceded we played more with our heart than our brains. We lost some organisation and made it difficult.

"The players showed a big fight to the end which is what I want."

Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I didn't think they were going to score. If anything, I thought we were going to get a third.

"And I'm not sure they deserved a second goal, but he gave a penalty.

"I just felt a lot of decisions were starting to swing their way a bit, but I have to be very careful not to go questioning anyone's integrity.

"Everybody's got us relegated – but that's very good motivation for the team – and I'm just frustrated and disappointed we didn't win."