Rochdale 2 – 2 Tranmere
Ethan Ebanks-Landell spared goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell’s blushes with a stoppage-time goal to rescue relegation-threatened Rochdale a 2-2 draw against Tranmere.
The visitors had been handed the lead after 19 minutes when midfielder Liam Kelly sent a pass back to O’Donnell and the Dale stopper, under no pressure at all, sliced the ball into his own net.
There was a brief flash of hope for the home side when Kelly’s free-kick was glanced onto the crossbar by Ian Henderson.
Referee Scott Tallis, taking charge of his first Football League fixture, awarded a penalty against the hosts after 53 minutes.
Jimmy Keohane was penalised for a foul on Harvey Saunders and Josh Hawkes converted from the spot.
Dale rallied with Ethan Brierley’s long-range shot forcing Rovers goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt into a save while Danny Lloyd sent a dipping effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Lloyd pulled one back in the 69th minute, a low drilled effort from 20 yards, and Ebanks-Landell headed Lloyd’s corner home from close range in time added on.
Rochdale remain eight points adrift of 22nd-placed Crawley with three games left.