Tranmere went from playing with ten men to playing against ten men in the space of five days and captialised well as they came from behind to win 2-1 against fellow play-off contenders and rivals for third place, Sheffield Wednesday after a spirited performance, particularly in the second half.

Rovers have still to lose on their travels in 2005 and indeed have not lost away from home since the 6-1 at Hull on December 18^th.  In many ways this was the sort of game that that Hull game should have been had Tranmere not lost both goalkeepers by half-time.  It was quite often attack minded and saw some good football being played but the visitors had to come from behind.

After Tranmere dominated the early possession, they fell behind to a Chris Brunt penalty that to the visiting fans seemed controversial after Rankine fouled Drew Talbot.  Tranmere got back on level terms just before half-time through Mike Jackson from a Jason McAteer free-kick before the game turned on the sending off of Zigor Aranalde after just ten minutes of his home debut for Wednesday. 

Tranmere capitalised almost immediately when a run by Theo Whitmore from his own half saw him cross for Hume to backheel a cheeky finish that ultimately handed Rovers the points.  Despite a nervous final few minutes including four minutes of injury time, the Owls could not muster a decent chance to snatch an equaliser and Rovers held on for a historic win.

Tranmere made two changes to the side that began the 4-2 home defeat to Doncaster on Monday.  Gareth Roberts returned from international duty with Wales and replaced Paul Brown on the left of midfield whilst Theo Whitmore replaced the suspended Eugene Dadi allowing Paul Hall to join Iain Hume in attack.  Steven Jennings returned to the squad after suspension in place of Paul Brown and joined Howarth, Dagnall, Harrison and Linwood on the bench.

Tranmere began the match as the stronger side and created a few early chances to give hope for the rest of the game to the large band of travelling Rovers fans.  On  five minutes, Tranmere had the ball in the Wednesday net through Iain Hume but the strike was ruled out for a foul by Mike Jackson during the build up.  The home side woke up a little after that scare but Mike Jackson in particular was strong as the Rovers defence held firm.

Just after the half hour mark though, Wednesday’s Talbot seemed to be harmlessly heading away from Tranmere’s goal when Rankine clumsily dived in and conceded the foul that seemed clearly to be just outside the penalty area but referee Marriner pointed to the penalty spot as Tranmere players protested.

Chris Brunt took the penalty straight down the middle as John Achterberg dived to his left and possibly against the run of play Rovers found themselves 1-0 down.  It was important that Rovers got back into the game quickly and after a foul on Paul Hall on the Tranmere right the visitors found themselves level and there was no more a deserving scorer.

Jason McAteer whipped in the free-kick which was met by the outstanding Mike Jackson whose header looped in to the top corner to send the visiting fans wild with delight and in fairness it was no more than they deserved.

It stayed all square until half-time but further drama was yet to come.  As the second half began, Owls boss Paul Sturrock replaced Richard Wood with home debutant Zigor Aranalde who had signed for the Owls from Walsall on transfer deadline day.  This proved to be the turning point of the game as Aranalde’s home debut lasted just eight minutes when he was sent off for what must only have been an elbow on Mike Jackson who needed treatment off the field for several minutes before re-emerging with a bandage on his head.

Just six minutes after the sending off, Jamaican Theo Whitmore picked up the ball just inside his own half and set off on a run that took him all the way to the touchline unchallenged from where he squared the ball across the face of goal to Iain Hume.  After taking one touch, rather than opting to turn and put the ball in, Hume backheeled it into the net to give Tranmere a deserved lead.

Despite increased Wednesday pressure, Tranmere were never really threatened and could have killed the game off as chances fell for Hall and then Hume in the dying minutes.  Hall took too long on his opportunity and the chance evaporated whilst Hume angled the ball wide of Owls goalkeeper Gallacher but also agonisingly wide of the post.

Despite four minutes of injury time, Rovers held on to record a famous and important victory on a ground where they have failed to pick up a single point since 1979.  As news filtered through that all the teams chasing the play-offs had also won (bar Sheffield Wednesday) as well as both Hull and Luton, the win became all the more crucial as the Superwhite Army headed for home.

Tranmere face Stockport, who were relegated today, at Prenton Park on Friday night (8^th April) and will be looking for a further three points that will now surely almost guarantee a play-off place.

Sheff Wed: Gallacher, Bullen, Heckingbottom, Adams, Whelan, McGovern, Brunt, Collins, Wood (Aranalde 46), Talbot, Barrett (Peacock 64).

Substitutes not used: Adamson, Hamshaw, Greenwood.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Sharps, Jackson, Goodison, Taylor, McAteer (Harrison 78), Rankine, Whitmore (Jennings 83), Roberts, Hall, Hume (Dagnall 89).

Substitutes not used: Howarth, Linwood.

Bookings: None

Sent Off: Aranalde (54)

Referee: Mr Andy Marriner (West Midlands)

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