Late Tranmere Goal Denies Sutton

Only a controversial late Tranmere winner could deny Sutton what would have been a fantastic point at Prenton Park, with the performance in the last half an hour especially a cause for optimism.

Tranmere, attempting to chase down Lincoln City for the league title, started fast and threatened with a series of crosses into the box. James Norwood came closest early on for Rovers but was denied by Will Puddy. United had the odd foray forward of their own, Craig Eastmond seeing a shot from 20 yards out blocked with a couple of corners also coming to nothing. Just minutes after Cole Stockton had headed inches over it was 1-0 though, a cross from deep being met by Michael Ihiekwe who’s powerful headed beat Puddy. Only a great intervention from Ben Jefford prevented the home side doubling their lead after Sutton were caught badly from a counter attack after a corner – despite having 3 attackers on 2 defenders Tranmere couldn’t make it count. Towards the end of the half there were signs of promise with a Deacon effort deflecting just wide of the post, though the referee gave a goal kick to the fury of the visiting supporters.

The second half saw Sutton attacking towards the massed ranks of home supporters in the Kop, the 17,000 capacity stadium buzzing all evening with both sets of supporters in fine voice. Adam Buxton was perhaps unlucky to see his freekick bounce off the inside of the post and away with the rebound fired over the bar but not too long afterwards it was 2-0, a goal that resulted from a miscommunication in the Sutton defence. A free kick from a wide position wasn’t collected by Puddy, with the ball eventually going in off Craig Eastmond for an own goal. This could have been a cue for Tranmere to run riot but a couple of substitutions, with Jebb and Tommy Wright coming on, changed the game and with 15 minutes to play Jebb hit a stunning effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards to bring the U’s back into the game. The home fans were stunned into silence 5 minutes later when another substitute, Pape Gueye got on the end of a Deacon cross and finished well into the top corner. Unfortunately the striker injured himself in the process, leaving Sutton to fend with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Despite this there was still a lot of energy, Tommy Wright nearly getting through before being fouled by McNulty, with Gomis also seeing an effort deflected agonisingly wide of the far post. However it was the hosts who would snatch a late winner, a long throw being volleyed in by Ihiekwe, with most of the ground still bemused as to how a foul hadn’t been given for a tackle on Craig Eastmond just before the throw was awarded

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