A late goal from Josh Macauley earned Rovers a point from their totesport.com League match against Rochdale at Prenton Park.

Luke Waterfall had the first chance of the game on five minutes, with his header from a corner being saved by Rochdale keeper James Spencer.

Macauley headed over on 15 minutes before shooting straight at Spencer five minutes later. He continued to be Rovers' main threat with a shot on 43 minutes that went inches wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Ten minutes into the second half the visitors took the lead when Christopher Blakeley raced into the area and fired into the top left corner beyond Peter Kennedy.

Shaun Garnett's young side - featuring only four players with any first team experience - went close to an equaliser when Louis Corrigan shot wide from a Jack Mackreth cross while Macauley again shot at Spencer.

However, with just four minutes remaining Waterfall was pulled down inside the area, and though Macauley's spot kick was saved he was first to the rebound to volley into the net.

Rovers then pressed for a winner, with Dave Wilson curling past the post, but they were unable to beat the Rochdale defence a second time.

Tranmere: Kennedy, Holmes, Denson, Waterfall, Cresswell, Mackreth, Richardson, Corrigan, Ashcroft (Rule 72), Macauley, Wilson. Substitutes not used: Collister, Pursehouse, Power.