Tranmere Rovers 1, Crewe Alexandra 1

Oct 3 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

THE GLASS was looking more half-empty than half-full after Tranmere had to settle for a second draw in four days at Prenton Park.

Rovers fought back from a goal down to take a point from a tight and often entertaining contest with Crewe.

But just as in the 2-2 draw with Northampton last Saturday, Rovers were disappointed that they were not able to convert pressure into the goals required to keep their momentum going at the top of the League One table.

Crewe took the lead through Gary Roberts’ 56th-minute penalty, following a flurry of attacks early in the second half.

Tranmere’s response was an equaliser on 64 minutes from Chris Shuker – the winger’s second goal in two games.

But the big finish Tranmere’s home supporters were hoping for eluded them.

The visitors survived several narrow escapes but Rovers couldn’t create a clear-cut opening.

The two teams weaved some pretty passing patterns across the pitch in the opening phase without creating definite chances at either end.

The final pass often did not match the build-up that went before it.

Chris Greenacre had two first time efforts blocked by Chris McCready, a former Tranmere team-mate who returned to Prenton Park as Crewe’s captain.

Mike Jones, starting a league game for the first time as a replacement for Steve Davies, produced the occasional touch to suggest he gained some confidence from last Saturday’s 70-minute run as a substitute.

Steve Jennings gave the home supporters a first moment of excitement on 22 minutes when he dummied past a marker on the edge of the box to crash a right-foot shot high against the right-hand post.

Greenacre reacted quickest to the rebound, heading it into the net only for an offside flag to stifle the striker’s celebrations.

A well-worked move set up midfielder Paul McLaren for a 25-yard shot that was lifted high into the Cowshed stand.

Danny O’Donnell should have given Crewe the lead on 35 minutes when he arrived unchallenged at the far post to meet Billy Jones’ swinging right-wing free-kick.

But the centre-back put his close-range header wide of the target and held his head in annoyance that he did not at the very least force goalkeeper John Achterberg into a save.

Two minutes later it was Tranmere’s turn to waste a clear-cut opening.

Jones’s dipping cross from the right cleared everyone in the goalmouth with the exception of Chris Shuker, but the little winger was unable to control his first-time volley sending it high over the bar.

Shuker then curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

Achterberg appeared to get a touch on an awkward bouncing shot from Ryan Lowe just after the restart although referee Scott Mathieson waved away their appeals for a corner.

Tranmere survived a desperate scramble in their six-yard box after Achterberg failed to hold a low free-kick from Jones at his near post.

Achterberg then had to make a sharp save from Byrom Moore’s angled shot from the right.

So it wasn’t a complete surprise when Crewe’s flurry of early second half pressure was rewarded with a goal on 56 minutes. Mr Mathieson had no hesitation in awarding a penalty when McCready appeared to be held back by Ben Chorley as he attempted to reach a ball into the box by Lowe.

Gary Roberts stepped up to blast the spot-kick into the top corner of the net, giving Achterberg no chance.

Tranmere were back level on 64 minutes, thanks to a patient build-up and a perceptive pass by Jones that released Shuker clear into the box on the left.

This time the winger was able to pick his spot before sliding a shot past goalkeeper Ben Williams from a dozen yards.

Paul McLaren thought he had given Tranmere the lead four minutes later when he powered a header towards the top corner from a knock-back by Taylor. But the midfielder was thwarted by a spectacular leap and tip over from Williams.

Manager Ronnie Moore introduced Craig Curran on 70 minutes for Jones, who earned a warm ovation for his efforts from the home supporters.

Shane Sherriff came within a few inches of giving Rovers an injury-time winner with a low 20-yard shot through a crowded penalty area that took a deflection just wide of the left-hand post.

Then Greenacre snatched at a half-chance from wide on the right and Tranmere’s last hope of victory was gone.

Match Facts

TRANMERE ROVERS: Achterberg, Stockdale, Chorley, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren (Kay 86), Jennings, Jones (Curran 70), Taylor, Greenacre. Subs: McWeeney, Tremarco, Ahmed. BOOKING: Sherriff.

GOAL: Shuker 64

CREWE: Williams, Woodards, McCready, O’Donnell, B. Jones, Moore (Miller 89), Schumacher, Roberts, Rix (Cox 73), Lowe, Barnard (O’Connor 68). Subs: Abbey, Fon-Williams.

GOAL: Roberts 56pen

REFEREE: Mr Scott Mathieson, Cheshire.

ATT: 6,155

NEXT GAME: Southend v Tranmere, Coca-Cola League One, Saturday 3pm