Tranmere Rovers escape relegation from the EFL in nail-biting finale

Tranmere Rovers will be playing in the EFL again next season after a draw against Grimsby Town at Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers secured League Two safety with a nervy 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town in front of a sell-out crowd at Prenton Park.

Nathan Smith’s towering second-half header cancelled out Justin Amaluzor’s opener to ensure Rovers maintained their Football League status.

Pete Wild’s side stayed up by two points, as results elsewhere meant The Whites’ turbulent season didn’t end in disaster.

The game got off to a frantic start, with both teams missing chances to take the lead inside ten minutes.

Maldini Kacurri’s clearance caused Smith problems in the air, however, Andy Cook couldn’t capitalise- volleying wide from the edge of the box.

Rovers responded well though, as Charlie Whitaker twice went close to finding the net.

The forward snatched at his volley after Ryan Watson’s deflected shot landed in his path, before bending narrowly over from distance moments later.

Grimsby continued to threaten at the other end, mind – Charles Vernam seeing his fizzed effort well blocked by Smith from close range.

The visitors began to dominate proceedings after quieting the raucous home crowd, with Jamie Walker influential in his side’s change of pace.

The midfielder had his ambitious strike blocked by Finley on 23 minutes, before stealing possession from Nohan Kenneh and unleashing a tame effort from the edge of the box that was comfortably held by Marko Marosi to his left.

Tranmere forged a rare opportunity of their own soon after, but Jayden Joseph blazed over from the penalty spot after Cameron McJannet failed to clear Whitaker’s teasing delivery.

And The Whites paid the price for that miss on 43 minutes, as Amaluzor burst into the six-yard-box to stun The Kop into silence.

Walker found the feet of Vernam, who threaded through the winger to lash home on the angle and give David Artell’s side a deserved lead.

And the goalscorer should’ve had a second straight after the restart, somehow clearing the crossbar from two yards out.

Kieran Green flashed his cross into the lap of the unmarked Amaluzor, but he couldn’t find the back of the net to double the Mariners’ advantage.

Grimsby continued to pile the pressure onto the hosts, with substitute Kristian Dennis fortunate to see his clearance go behind for a corner on the hour mark.

Tranmere survived another goalmouth scramble thanks to strong defending from Everton loanee Will Tamen, before Joe Ironside should’ve levelled on the counter-attack.

The striker pounced on to McJannet’s short back pass but failed to demonstrate enough conviction – eventually being denied by the recovering defender.

That chance breathed new life into Prenton Park though, and Rovers found the equaliser on 64 minutes when Smith headed home from Whitaker’s corner.

The defender rose highest at the back post and nodded past Jackson Smith for his fifth goal of the season, sparking elation from the home crowd.

Grimsby again managed to weather the storm and came close to netting with ten minutes remaining, as Finley launched himself in the way of Vernam’s fierce drive to prevent a winner.

Marosi was next to produce heroics on 84 minutes, clawing away Amaluzor’s dipping strike from range before Prenton Park erupted upon hearing news of Barnet’s late winner at Harrogate Town to all but seal safety.

Tranmere saw out a tense eight minutes of stoppage time with relative ease, leading to a pitch invasion on Martin Coy’s full-time whistle.