Morgan Ferrier’s eighth goal of the season secured Tranmere Rovers a 1-1 home draw with Blackpool at Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon.

Blackpool lead early on after Calum Woods turned into his own net following on from a set-piece situation.

Ferrier levelled for Rovers four minutes from half-time with a well-taken finish across goal, that found the bottom far corner.

Manager Micky Mellon made two changes to his starting line-up, with Woods and Corey Blackett-Taylor coming into the side.

David Perkins wore the armband, captaining Rovers in the absence of the injured Scott Davies.

Rovers started well on a crisp Wirral afternoon, with centre-back Manny Monthe lifting his header off target from Kieron Morris’ cross.

Up the other end, forward Armand Gnanduillet saw his headed effort saved by Aaron Chapman after James Husband had broke free down the left.

Connor Jennings threaded through a pass for Ferrier but visiting goalkeeper Mark Howard was off his line quickly to smother the loose ball.

Neil Danns, who was playing against his former club, drove an attempt through a crowded penalty area which was charged down by a combination of Ryan Edwards and Oliver Turton.

Simon Grayson’s Seasiders were in front with nine minutes played when Liam Feeney’s corner was not cleared, with Woods bundling into his own net past Chapman, whilst under pressure from Ben Heneghan.

Joe Nuttall later nearly doubled Blackpool’s advantage having latched onto Jay Spearing’s pass, though his attempt was comfortable for Chapman.

Rovers levelled on 41 minutes after Ferrier reacted first to Woods’ ball to turn Heneghan inside the box before slotting a right-footed shot from a tight angle into the bottom right corner past Howard.

Tranmere began positively after the break, with Morris’ surging run concluding with the midfielder striking low, which landed narrowly wide of Howard’s near post.

On the hour, Chapman had to get down low to his right sharply to keep out Callum Guy’s volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Jennings then hit a shot with the outside of his boot that went wide from 18-yards, following a period of Rovers pressure.

Heneghan’s floated free-kick from the left made it through to Nuttall at the back post, with Chapman tipping his free header over the crossbar and away for a corner.

A long punt from Howard released Gnanduillet on the breakaway, however Sid Nelson was there to throw himself in the way of the ball before clearing to safety.

In the closing stages, Blackett-Taylor’s free-kick from 20-yards was deflected away for a corner, with Tranmere pushing for a late winner.

Rovers were denied all three points with 87 minutes gone when Jennings’ powerful volley towards the top corner was superbly stopped by a full stretch Howard, with Ferrier hitting the rebound onto the post.

Despite putting the pressure on their opponents from the Fylde Coast, Rovers could not find a second goal as they ended 2019 with a well-deserved point.

Tranmere are back in Sky Bet League One action on New Year’s Day when Mellon’s men host Coventry City at Prenton Park, kick-off 3pm.

TRFC: Chapman, Caprice, Nelson, Monthe, Woods, Perkins ©, Danns, Morris, Jennings, Blackett-Taylor, Ferrier

Subs: Pilling, Ray, Potter, Mullin, Walker-Rice, Ponticelli, Payne

Attendance: 8, 487