Wolves' hopes of a deep run in the Carabao Cup were ended at the first hurdle as Nuno Espirito Santo's side tripped up at home to second-tier Stoke City.
Jacob Brown came off the bench to combine with fellow substitute Steven Fletcher four minutes from time to score the game's only goal inside an empty Molineux stadium.
Wolves were much changed from the weekend win against Sheffield United but with time evaporating Raul Jimenez, Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto were all sent on to rescue the evening, only to come up short.