Banks on the money by leading fightback

TRANMERE staged a dramatic fightback to clinch the points over Burton, scoring twice in injury-time at Prenton Park.

Lucas Akins gave the Brewers the lead from the penalty spot 24 minutes from time, but Ollie Banks equalised with a freekick in time added on before Stefan Payne headed home a winner at the death, amid chaotic scenes.

Micky Mellon hailed his Rovers side’s never-say-die spirit.

He said: “We were forced into a couple of changes through injuries. Second half we looked like a team that had lost two key players.

“Then we gave away a mad penalty and we’re chasing the game. But what you do know about us is that we will keep going. The crowd were fantastic again and stuck with us.

“To win a game in the last minute, when you’re 1-0 down – moments in football like that, you’ve got to fully enjoy.

“It was important that we got a victory, I would absolutely acknowledge that.

“We knew we had a tough week with Peterborough and Burton. To come out of it with four points, you have to be pleased.”

There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, but when Oliver Sarkic conjured a sublime pass through the middle to release Joe Sbarra, most of Prenton Park was relieved to see the Burton striker’s shot bounce wide of a post.

The Brewers were awarded a penalty when Cameron Borthwick-Jackson chopped down Stephen Quinn in the box, giving the referee an easy decision. Akins made no mistake from the spot, smacking it in the top corner.

But with Albion seemingly on course for all three points, Banks curled home a dead ball from 25 yards in the 92nd minute before Payne directed a high ball into the net – with some assistance from debutant Neil Danns – with almost the last touch of the game, to clinch a remarkable victory for Rovers.

Frustrated Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “Extreme naivety in the last five minutes cost us the game. We’ve given a completely needless free-kick away.

“We bang on to the lads all of the time, don’t give free-kicks away because anyone can step up at any level and put one in the bottom corner like they did today.”