Late Kay strike rescues the Reds!

Last updated : 26 December 2004 By Rob Miles
Antony Kay came to Barnsley's rescue to preserve their five match unbeaten record in the 90th minute at Prenton Park.

Even thought the winning and clean sheet runs have come to an end the reds more than match their higher placed opposition for most of the match and deserved to come away with a share of the spoils.

There was hardly anything to separate the two sides in the first half.

Paul Harts side who were unchanged for the fourth successive game had the marginally better chances with Michael Boulding seeing a good shot turned away by Tranmere goalkeeper Russell Howarth and Tom Williams striking a superb free-kick against the foot of the post.

Tranmere did come close with Mike Jackson somehow heading over the bar from seven yards after a corner from Ryan Taylor.

The second half was more open though and David Beresford wasted a good opening after 53 minutes.

Tranmere finally took the lead though after 72 minutes through the man who always seems to score against the Reds Ian Hume, and it was a goal of some quality.

The pint-sized attacker got on the end of a Eugene Dadi flick before dinking the ball over Antony Kay and smashing the ball past Ross Turnbull who was finally beaten after over 430 minutes of football.

The Reds should have equalised after 86 minutes when Williams' cross found Chopra but the in-form marksman could only find Howarth in the goal.

Jubilant scenes from the 1,500 fans that had trekked to Merseyside emerged though deep in injury time when the impressive Williams floated another ball across for Kay to fire home from around 12 yards. Kay was booked for over celebrating ( a ridiculous decision) but the fans went home happy and Barnsley made it 4 wins and a draw from their last 5 games.

The winning run may be over but the Reds certainly weren't outplayed or over awed by a team sitting 3rd in the table and with the visit of rock-bottom Stockport to Oakwell on Tuesday there is every reason to be optimistic that the Reds can end the year on a high with 5 wins in 6.

Good performance today COME ON YOU REDS!!