Tranmere Rovers 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2

Last updated : 28 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Two goals in the last 16 minutes including a controversial penalty earned Tranmere Rovers a point against luckless Sheffield Wednesday.

The visitors were much the brighter side in the opening period and Graeme Lee put them ahead after only three minutes with a superbly struck 25-yard free kick after Robbie Mustoe was fouled by Gary Jones.

There was a touch of fortune for the second Wednesday goal on 21 minutes as home keeper John Achterberg appeared to have a shot by Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu covered when the ball took a deflection off Graham Allen.

It needed a fine save by Achterberg from Mark Robbins to deny the visitors a third goal just ahead of the break.

Tranmere threw on substitutes Ryan Taylor and David Beresford in a changed formation and they quickly got back in the picture with some sustained attacking.

But it was not until the 75th minute that they reduced the arrears with a close-range shot by Jones from a cross by David Beresford.

In the 84th minute substitute Chris Dagnall who had only been on the pitch two minutes, went down under a challenge from Leigh Bromby and Brian Barry-Murphy.

Referee Nigel Miller pointed to the spot and Taylor netted easily past David Lucas. The Owls then had to hang on desperately for a deserved point. Lee and Ndumbu-Nsungu were excellent for the visitors. Gareth Roberts and Iain Hume were best for Rovers.

"I was very disappointed with the decision over the penalty," said Wednesday boss Chris Turner. "Away from home things do appear to go against you.

"We totally ran the game n the first half. Later it became something of a physical battle and we lost our way. Some of my players do not appear to be able to handle pressure." Tranmere manager, Brian Little, commented: "Wednesday caught us on the hop with a bright start but once we got our first goal I always believed we would get something out of the game. "I've got to be happy with the point. We showed good character to come back from two goals down."