BRILLIANT BES NEARLY SENDS ROVERS THROUGH

Tuesday 17th May 2005-05-22

Tranmere's promotion dream came to a heart-breaking end on Tuesday night, as a sensational comeback couldn't prevent the Whites from losing their play-off semi final on penalties to Hartlepool.

A bumper crowd of over 13,000 looked on as Brian Little's men attempted to overcome a 2-0 first leg defeat at Victoria Park four days earlier.

Wholesale changes were made to the side that went down up north, most notably with the formation changing from 3-5-2 to a more orthodox 4-4-2 system. Eugene Dadi came in for Theo Whitmore with Iain Goodison and Gareth Roberts moving to left back and left wing respectively, while Paul Hall reverted to his natural position of right wing. Rovers also played without a substitute goalkeeper for the first time since John Achterberg's injury earlier in the season.

It was Hartlepool who so nearly struck first blood when defender Chris Westwood rose above the challenge of Dadi to head over from a corner on the eight-minute mark. Dadi only succeeded in colliding with teammate Jason McAteer, causing a head injury to the skipper who was forced off the field in the 20th minute, just moments after Iain Hume had struck the bar for Rovers. Danny Harrison replaced the injured McAteer and immediately linked well with Mark Rankine as the home side began to press.

A brilliant piece of skill from Paul Hall followed by a low ball into the 'Pool area caused havoc as the first half drew to a close, but the pass was just behind marksman Dadi. Soon after, Iain Goodison had a bullet header saved from a Ryan Taylor corner.

HALF-TIME 0-0

The second period began in very much the same fashion as the first one ended, with the Whites very much in control. The visitors were confined to counter-attacking football with top scorer Adam Boyd reduced to a virtual spectator as a passionate Prenton Park crowd spurred their team on.

Ryan Taylor and Danny Harrison both had long-range shots for Rovers, but both blazed over. The home side made their second substitution of the evening on the hour mark with Iain Goodison being replaced by David Beresford. The change saw Gareth Roberts move to left back with Beresford slotting in on the left wing.

The change was looking to be an inspired one by Brian Little as Beresford immediately began to bombard the Hartlepool penalty area with teasing crosses, providing much appreciated service for front men Hume and Dadi. Rovers got the break they were looking for in the 70th minute as Iain Hume was upended 25-yards from goal by 'Pool defender Mark Tinkler. Free-kick specialist Ryan Taylor stepped up and his free kick went in via the post and goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopolous to give Tranmere hope.

'Pool squandered a chance at the other end with Achterberg collecting easily before Eugene Dadi had a decent penalty appeal turned down as the referee waved away any such claims. Minutes later, Dadi's header from Beresford's cross nearly sent Prenton Park into raptures but it looped just wide.

With just three minutes to go, Rovers' hard work paid off as Danny Harrison won a header in mid-field and Ryan Taylor seized upon the loose ball. Taylor's sweeping pass into the area found Mark Rankine via Paul hall and Rankine's poor touch broke to super-sub Beresford who curled an unstoppable shot from 20-yards past the helpless Konstantopolous. The visitors nearly nicked a goal at the end but a shot was blocked by the impressive Danny Harrison.

FULL-TIME 2-0

A pretty even period of extra-time saw a wonderful Iain Hume volley clawed off the line by the busy Konstantopolous from Gareth Roberts' lofty cross. Ritchie Humphreys had the best chance of the game for 'Pool, but the former Sheffield Wednesday man shot just wide from 18-yards out. The visitors were also denied a penalty in the closing stages, as Mike Jackson appeared to trip an opponent inside the area but the referee refused to give in to appeals. Rovers made their third and final change of the night as Chris Dagnall came on to replace Eugene Dadi.

AFTER EXTRA-TIME 2-0

PENALTIES 5-6

A bizarre game at Prenton Park where it is possible that so much elation and dejection has never been felt before in one night. With six players out of contract in the summer, it will be interesting to see who stays and who goes and whether the audacious rumours of signing the likes of Robbie Fowler, Francis Jeffers and Steve McManaman will come to fruition. After a good season, it is likely that the Superwhites will again be in the frame for promotion to the Championship next season.

Graeme Dolphin