Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Luton Town

Last updated : 14 September 2007 By Matthew Jones
Curran hero in Rovers extacy
A thrilling final ten minutes at Prenton Park saw Tranmere come from behind against Luton thanks to goals from their two subsitutes, Curran and Kay, as they snatched a 2-1 win against Luton Town.

Ronnie Moore made one change to the team that started against Carlisle, as Gareth Taylor made a surprise return to the side in the place of the injured Calvin Zola whilst last winner's match winner Craig Curran was still on the bench.

Rovers started strongly as Chris Shuker cut inside and shot against the side netting after a good run down the right before Paul Furlong rattled the crossbar with a powerful header before the visitors took the lead on five minutes.

From the corner following Furlong's header, the same mad headed in at the far post despite appearing to foul Ian Goodison. The goal however stood and Luton took a surprise lead.

Rovers looked to hit back, with Steve Davies firing well over from 25-yards with a free-kick before Davies forced 'keeper Forde into a save after a good lay-off from Taylor.

Luton hit back, Edwards missing two chances for the Hatters, before Shane Sherriff lopped a header over Forde at the back post and saw the ball cleared off the line after a well worked free-kick routine with Paul McLaren.

Tranmere really should have drawn level soon after as Steven Jennings somehow poked the ball wide from six-yards out before the Tranmere number 12 was in the action again as he opted to pass to Greenacre instead of shoot from similar distance after Gareth Taylor had nodded down Robbie Stockdale's cross.

After what most would pressume to be a half time rant from Ronnie Moore, Rovers came out and pressed forward again, with Davies forcing Forde into a finger tip save from distance before Coyne made an excellent save from Robinson and then pushed the ball away from the on-rushing Furlong, much like he did last week at Carlisle.

A right-footed Davies cross skimmed off the bar and out for a goalkick soon after before Greenacre sent a deft header wide from a Davies cross minutes later.

Soon after Rovers had another chance as Paul McLaren lofted a straight free-kick into the box from 30-yards, but a free Ben Chorley completely missed the dropping ball as it came to him and 'keeper Forde gathered.

Tranmere were now getting aggitated, especially the fans, and it looked as if it wasn't going to be their day yet again. In midfield passes were going astray and Rovers attacks were breaking down before they'd even started. Even though they were chasing the game, when in possession the ball was often passed back to Danny Coyne as Tranmere struggled to find any momentum.

Taylor had a chance for Rovers but somehow put it into orbit from close range despite no challange before the striker had another chance and this time all but missed the ball with his shot which got a lucky deflection after passing him and went out for a corner.

Heads were in hands again on 70 minutes as Greenacre somehow put a chance wide from about eight yards out from Davies' perfect cross.

However, the game was to be changed by Ronnie Moore's "Plan B", as first Craig Curran replaced Gareth Taylor and then Anthony Kay replaced Steven Jennings after 71 and 76 minutes.

It was young Curran who made the break-through again on 83-minutes, as the striker once again had increadible inpact from the substitutes bench.

Tranmere pushed forward but one wave of attack was cleared to Ben Chorley on the half way line. The central defender pumped the ball forward once more and the ball was flicked on by Chris Greenacre straight to Craig Curran who netted under 'keeper Forde to level the game.

Ronnie Moore's men now had the belief to go on and win the game and it was they who looked likely to get the winner, if any team would.

And it proved to be, as just three minutes after Curran had levelled the game, Anthony Kay got his first Tranmere goal to put the Super White Army 2-1 up on 86 minutes.

After Tranmere had won a free-kick on the left, Sherriff floated a ball over the far post where it was met by Kay who looped it back over the 'keeper and into the far corner to send the players, fans and staff of Tranmere Rovers absolutely mental.

Luton now suddenly looked more attacking after sitting back on the lead for most of the 81 minutes before he two Tranmere goals, and their players streamed forward in search of an equaliser.

They came close, Matthew Spring forcing Danny Coyne into a brilliant diving stop from 25-yards out as well as a number of other Luton move's forcing Coyne into stops or the defence into clearing as the Hatters had a number of corners in the final few minutes.

However, after three minutes of injury time the referee finally blew his whistle, meaning Carl Tremarco, ready to come on as a substitute on the sidelines for Rovers had no time to enter the pitch. It didn't matter in the end though, as Tranmere picked up a brilliant win which means that they are top of the table until 17:00 tomorrow atleast!

Jones' Man Of The Match: There were a number of poor performances for Rovers tonight but again Shane Sherriff had an excellent game at left-back for Tranmere, the Aussie winning a number of good headers, tackles and clearances as well as assisting the second Rovers goal.