A FRANTIC late charge was not quite enough for Tranmere Rovers at Hillsborough yesterday as they emerged empty-handed from a grippig game which bordered on the bizarre.

Sheffield Wednesday blazed their way into a 2-0 lead after just seven minutes. They then proceeded to squander enough chances to take their tally close to double figures, with only Paul Rachubka’s heroics in the Tranmere goal keeping them at bay.

It was the most one-sided half of football you will ever see.

Incredibly, the match was turned completely on its head by some astute substitutions by Rovers boss Les Parry. After spending the first 45 minutes on the back foot, the visitors belatedly began to find their rhythm and sub Ian Goodison’s late headed goal set up a stirring late rally which almost saw Tranmere steal a point.

It was thrilling stuff – all played out in front of a vociferous 24,000 crowd.

The drama began to unfold after just 90 seconds.

Ben Marshall’s corner kick was only partially cleared by the Rovers defence and Chris Lines returned the ball to the heart of the penalty area. The midfielder’s left-wing cross was met by Reda Johnson, whose towering header sailed past Rachubka.

The Owls wasted little time in doubling their lead. Lines, who had scored against Rovers when the sides met at Prenton Park in November, got his name on the scoresheet again, turning a low shot past Rachubka after the ball was pulled back to him by James Tavernier.

The players in the blue and white stripes continued to pour forward. Marshall – a talented winger on loan from Stoke City – sent a scissor-kick into the side-netting on 22 minutes.

Moments later, Mark McCrystal’s mistake saw Clinton Morrison burst clean through on Rachubka’s goal. The on-loan keeper, racing to the edge of his penalty area, thwarted Morrison but the loose ball fell to Chris O’Grady, who dragged his shot just wide when it looked easier to score.