Attendance: 10,228

(1,028Tranmere Fans)

            Referee - Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)  

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Two goals from Chris Greenacre were not enough for three points but they were certainly enough to earn Rovers a deserved draw at the Galpharm Stadium in an entertaining Boxing Day encounter that ended 2-2.

After falling behind to a wonder goal from veteran Town striker Andy Booth inside ten minutes, Rovers were level by half-time and then ahead just after the break thanks to Greenacre’s double, both from set-pieces.

However it was the home side who had the last word with a Danny Schofield penalty on the hour mark after Ian Goodison was penalised for a foul in the penalty area.

Rovers Boss Ronnie Moore made just one change to the team that started the 3-2 defeat at home to Gillingham last Saturday with left winger Kevin Ellison dropping to the bench and being replaced by Steve Davies.

The festive season had brought the Rovers fans out in force with just over 1000 in attendance in a packed stand behind the goal and although they made a lot of noise early on, there was little to cheer about in terms of action on the pitch as the home side had the better of the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead after just nine minutes through veteran striker Andy Booth.

The goal came after Chris McCready had halted a run from defender Danny Adams with a decent tackle but unfortunately for the visitors, the ball fell to the feet of Booth and he lashed the ball home into the top corner via the crossbar.

After going behind, Rovers started to haul themselves back into the game and Chris Greenacre, John Mullin and Chris Shuker all came close to netting an equaliser.  After Andy Booth has landed a looping header on the top of Ward’s net and Steve Davies had struck the Huddersfield wall at the other end with a free-kick, Rovers got the equaliser they deserved on 39 minutes.

A corner from Chris Shuker hit the back of Town scorer Andy Booth and it fell nicely for Chris Greenacre to head home his 11^th goal of the season from close range and send the 1000 Rovers fans wild.

Rovers began the second half brightly and it took them just six minutes to take the lead in the match with the first real chance of the half.  Steve Davies was fouled outside the Huddersfield penalty area and Chris Shuker’s free-kick was flicked on by Ian Goodison and fell for Chris Greenacre to net his second goal of the season from close range right in front of the Rovers fans.

Shane Sherriff riled the home support a few minutes after Rovers took the lead when he spent some time on the floor after a bad challenge but then got to his feet once the ball had gone out of play and carried on apparently unscathed.

Just nine minutes after going in front, Rovers handed their hosts the chance to get back into the game when Chris Brandon broke free into the Rovers penalty area and was adjudged to have been brought down by Ian Goodison.  The referee initially failed to give the penalty but the flag from the linesman on that side meant that a penalty it was and Danny Schofield dispatched it with ease sending Ward the wrong way to make it 2-2.

The home side could have been back in front just a few minutes later but Gary Taylor-Fletcher dragged his effort wide of Ward’s goal.

In the 68^th minute Rovers Manager Ronnie Moore made a double substitution with injured goalkeeper Gavin Ward replaced by John Achterberg for the Dutchman’s first League start for over a year whilst the inconsistent Shane Sherriff was replaced at left-back by Carl Tremarco.

Achterberg saved well from Booth to keep Rovers in the game whilst at the other end, Calvin Zola, an 81^st minute substitute for Steve Davies, combined well with Gareth Taylor and unleashed a powerful shot that was well saved by Glennon in the Terriers goal.

A draw was a fair result from an entertaining encounter and Rovers were worthy of a point against an organised Huddersfield side who denied Rovers space and stopped them from playing football.

Next up for Rovers is a tough trip to leaders Nottingham Forest on Saturday where a better defensive showing will be needed if they are to take anything from the game.

Paul McLaren – McLaren was excellent in midfield for Rovers and gets the award just ahead of two goal hero Chris Greenacre.

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"You're always disappointed if you don't win but it's a well earned point.  I thought we were the best side until we scored and went 2-1 up.  Then we seemed to panic a bit when we got in the driving seat and lost a bit of discipline.”

“The penalty was stupid.  Their lad should have been sent off - he went over the top on Shane Sherriff.  The ref didn't see it and Shane lost his head a little bit.  The lad then got inside us and I don't think there was any option for the ref but to give a penalty.”

"John Achterberg then made a couple of good saves that stopped us from losing, but we've played worse than that and won this season.  I was pleased with the way we opened up and bossed the first half and we were unfortunate to go behind to a special goal from Andy Booth.”

“We earned the right for the equaliser and I told the lads that at half time.  We scored two good goals through Chris Greenacre and when the second one went in we should have shut up shop and done the right things.”

“Unfortunately we didn't.  But I was pleased with the way we bounced back from the Gillingham game.  We were more solid and the draw was a fair result."

Ronnie also revealed that goalkeeper Gavin Ward had to be substituted with a thigh strain and would be a doubt for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

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