A Gabi Zakuani header in the final quarter of the game earned Peterborough United an unlikely point as Darren Ferguson's men came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against a wasteful Tranmere Rovers side at London Road.

Peterborough United were the width of a post away from breaking the deadlock inside the opening two minutes as a mix-up involving Ben Chorley and goalkeeper Danny Coyne allowed Craig Mackail-Smith to nip in, but after rounding the goalkeeper, the striker saw his shot hit the inside of the post. Antony Kay got back to hack the ball away from danger as it rolled agonisingly close to the goal-line.

Edrissa Sonko fired wide from long-range at the other end as the game started at a good pace. It was Tranmere who opened the scoring though as a ball from Sonko was glanced past Lewis by GREENACRE, who used the pace of the cross to guide the ball past the Posh shot-stopper.

Midfielder Charlie Lee fired over from 20-yards on 11 minutes after good work down the left by George Boyd. Boyd then whistled a shot inches past the upright after a quick free-kick from Martin nearly caught the Tranmere defence napping.

Goalkeeper Lewis made a superb point blank save to deny a powerful Greenacre header on 23 minutes with Kay firing the rebound over the crossbar as the Posh defence were left flat-footed.

The long throws of Ryan Shotton were causing all kinds of panic in the Posh defence and Greenacre should have done better on 27 minutes after the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the six-yard box, but be blasted over.

Tranmere doubled the advantage on 29 minutes after more slapstick defending from the hosts as they allowed the lively GREENACRE was allowed to nip in, round Lewis and side-foot the ball into the empty net.

Lee was cautioned for a late tackle on Steve Jennings in the centre of the pitch as Posh's frustrations grew. Posh halved the deficit on 39 minutes as a low centre from the excellent Boyd picked out MACKAIL-SMITH at the back post who fired into a gaping net.

Goodison was cautioned for bringing down Mackail-Smith on 43 minutes before the same player fired over from 20-yards after another quick free-kick from the hosts. Sonko blazed over on the stroke of half-time after skipping past Martin with ease on the right hand side.

Greenacre should have made it 3-1 and complete his hat-trick moments after the break after another set-piece set alarm bells ringing in the Posh back-line - the former Mansfield man firing over the crossbar from close-range.

Mackail-Smith was denied by a comfortable Coyne save at the other end after a good flick-on from strike partner Rendell. Antony Kay saw a shot drift just past the post as Tranmere went in search of a third and more than likely, killer goal.

Morgan was booked for a needless tussle with Jennings with the centre half pushing the midfielder. Defending set-pieces will certainly be on the agenda in training this week as again Tranmere exposed an Achilles heel for Posh with Kay ghosting in at the near post, but he glanced his header wide.

An ambitious effort from Boyd was well gathered by Coyne after Martin had picked out the Posh dangerman with an excellent pass to feet. The extra height of Batt was utilised on 65 minutes as the former Fisher Athletic man replaced Rendell in attack.

Posh were agonisingly close to a leveller on 71 minutes as Martin's low centre flicked off Chorley but it rolled inches past the far post to the relief of the Tranmere faithful. Whelpdale saw a volley blocked before boss Darren Ferguson introduced Dominic Green for Lee.

Sonko should have wrapped the game up moments later as Morgan miss-read the flight of a Taylor cross, but he couldn't keep his effort down. Bas Savage then flashed a shot wide of the target after cutting inside from the left as Rovers again came close to adding to their advantage.

However, it was Posh who found the next goal in this enthralling game as home debutant ZAKUANI powered home a header from a Martin corner kick to bring the scores level. Boyd then tested Coyne from long-distance before Batt was denied by the goalkeeper after racing onto a Boyd through-ball.

Martin sent a curling free-kick into the side-netting on 87 minutes as Ferguson's men went for the winner. Mackail-Smith was so close to making it 3-2 after an excellent Green centre but he glanced his header wide of the target.

Whelpdale saw a shot blocked in injury-time while Lewis saved a weak Savage shot before the final whistle was blown.

Final Score: Peterborough United 2-2 Tranmere Rovers

Referee: Mr G Horwood
Attendance: 5,735 (340 Rovers fans)