A James Vaughan header midway through the first half earned Tranmere a point in a 1-1 draw at Barrow in the final game of 2020.
The striker’s goal was cancelled out by a penalty converted by the hosts during the second half, but Rovers had to settle for a point despite having a man advantage for more than 20 minutes of the match.
Tranmere Rovers brought in Morgan Ferrier and Paul Lewis for the match against the Cumbrian side.
In the sixth minute, Barrow frontman Scott Quigley turned the Rovers defence to strike at goal, but Scott Davies was on hand to make the save.
An excellent save from Joel Dixon denied James Vaughan in the 13th minute, an excellent knockdown by Ferrier was straight into the path of our number nine, but the goalkeeper pushed away for a corner.
From the following set piece, Vaughan manoeuvred to the front post to volley just wide, again the goalkeeper making the save.
Tranmere were growing in confidence as they game progressed, and Keiron Morris hit a fierce shot from 25-yards which was turned away by the goalkeeper.
Rovers went ahead with 23 minutes on the clock as Vaughan added to his tally for the season with a cracking header from a Feeney cross.
Five minutes later, the returning Lewis Hardcastle hit a stunning free-kick from 25-yards which crashed against the side netting.
Barrow responded to Vaughan’s goal in strong fashion, as Quigley again was causing problems, testing Davies from range but our captain was equal.
Into the second half, Barrow had the first opportunity through Luke James after a pass from the left by Lewis Hardcastle. The former Hartlepool United man was unmarked as he hit just wide.
Barrow were pressing and came within inches from an equaliser but a crucial block on the back post by a Rovers shirt denied the hosts a tap in from a right wing cross.
Tranmere’s first chance of the half came just after the hour mark, when a Lewis knockdown fell into the feet of Vaughan, but his shot bounced against the surface and into the grateful hands of the goalkeeper.
Barrow were awarded a penalty kick in the 63rd minute as Quigley was hacked down by a Rovers defender, giving the referee no choice but to award a spot kick. The striker confidently stepped up to side foot home, and level the score.
The hosts immediately had a man sent off as former Fleetwood man Harrison Biggins was dismissed for a second yellow card and Tranmere had 20 minutes to play with an extra man on the pitch.
Rovers’ first change saw Kaiyne Woolery replace Ferrier after a solid 75 minute display by our number 10.
The visitors had a fabulous chance to regain the lead as Peter Clarke had a free header but was denied by a great save from the keeper.
A huge let off at the other end for Tranmere as a goal mouth scramble saw a strike at Davies’ goal but again, the goalkeeper was on hand to make an excellent save.
A second change came as Ollie Banks replaced Morris with four minutes remaining as Tranmere went in search of all three points.
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Tranmere: Davies, Ridehalgh, Clarke, Nelson, MacDonald, Spearing, Morris (Banks 90_, Lewis, Feeney, Vaughan, Ferrier (Woolery 76). Unused subs: Murphy, O’Connor, Blackett-Taylor, Smith, Lloyd.
The match report is sponsored by MAIN.