JUST as he was in danger of becoming the forgotten man of Tranmere’s season, Dale Jennings stepped off the bench to score a potentially priceless late goal and remind everybody of his rich potential.
The 18-year-old striker has struggled with injury and loss of form since he was the subject of a failed bid from a Premier League club in the January transfer window. But at Victoria Road on Friday, super sub Jennings pounced to score his sixth goal of the campaign as Rovers salvaged a point from an untidy League One clash with mid-table Hartlepool.
His sharp finish from close range was not as eye-catching as some of his earlier solo strikes, which saw him make national headlines and attract a posse of talent scouts to Prenton Park before the turn of the year. But in terms of what it meant to Rovers’ season, the goal was worth its weight in gold.
It saw Tranmere pocket a valuable point, taking their tally for the season to 50 – the benchmark that usually guarantees survival. And while Les Parry’s team are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, they can head into the final three games of the season knowing they have almost certainly done enough to keep their heads above water for another year.
Rovers were far from convincing at Victoria Park, but a spirited second-half display ensured the visitors avoided defeat – and left the field to chants of ‘the Whites are staying up’ from the 200-strong band of travelling supporters.
Tranmere boss Parry opted to keep faith with the side which lost 1-0 to Notts County on Tuesday, but there was an experimental feeling to Hartlepool’s line-up. With his team lodged securely in mid-table, manager Mick Wadsworth handed debuts to three homegrown young players – keeper Andy Rafferty and full-backs Josh Rowbotham and Darren Holden.
Left-back Holden was particularly impressive and he settled his nerves early on with a flying run down the left flank which created an opening for striker Adam Boyd. Fortunately for Rovers, Boyd’s right-footed shot from just inside the area drifted just past keeper Warner’s left post.
Tranmere’s best opening of the first period came in the sixth minute after a scramble in the Pools penalty area. Skipper John Welsh’s header fell to Lucas Akins, but the winger’s shot was blasted off the line by midfielder Joe Gamble.
Hartlepool held the upper hand for the remainder of a first half and they moved into a 1-0 lead just before the quarter-hour mark. Warner was left with no chance when Holden’s long throw was flicked on and Antony Sweeney executed an inch-perfect volley.
