Tranmere 1-1 C Palace

Tranmere's players have a Second Divison future

Tranmere Rovers were sent spinning into the Second Division after this dramatic draw.

The Londoners went ahead after 24 minutes with a well-taken goal by David Hopkin who recently returned to the club from Bradford.

Hopkin netted with a right foot shot when set up by Clinton Morrison.

They should have doubled their lead two minutes later but Morrison was unlucky to hit a post and then fired over from the rebound.

Tranmere enjoyed territorial advantage for much of the half but could not make an impact on the Palace goal.

It needed a fine save by Joe Murphy for Tranmere to deny Morrison six minutes before the break.

Tranmere brought on Andy Parkinson after half time and he levelled the scores within two minutes with an angled right-foot shot when set up by Jason Koumas.

Murphy went on to make a superb save for Tranmere midway through the half from Steve Thomson and Morrison.

Then the Merseysiders staged a grandstand finale but could not find the winner.

Parkinson headed just wide, keeper Alex Kolinko made a diving save at the feet of Stuart Barlow, Scott Taylor was inches wide and then Parkinson saw an injury-time shot deflected for a corner.

Substitute Ricardo Fuller had a great chance for Palace in the 90th minute but after working a good opening blasted over.

Simon Osborn was excellent in the Tranmere midfield along with Koumas.

Hopkin was best for Palace but Morrison worked very hard and Aki Riihilahti had his bright moments.

There were cautions for Tranmere's Gareth Roberts and Andy Frampton of Palace.

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Tranmere: Murphy, Roberts, Hill, Yates, Kenna, Osborn, Flynn, Koumas, Mellon, Barlow, Rideout. Subs: Achterberg, Jobson, Parkinson, Scott Taylor, Hinds.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Mullins, Austin, Frampton, Harrison, Hopkin, Thomson, Rodger, Riihilahti, Freedman, Morrison. Subs: Carlisle, Forssell, Berhalter, Fuller, Gregg.

Referee: G Laws (Whitley Bay).