Vauxhall Motors 1 Tranmere Rovers 1

AN INJURY-time penalty from Jason Koumas denied the Motormen a morale-boosting victory over Tranmere at Rivacre Park on Monday.

Nicky Young put the hosts ahead on 78 minutes only for £3m-rated midfielder Koumas to calmly slot home the equaliser after Alex Hay went down in the area.

The dubious late spot kick ­ awarded by referee John Stokes for a push by Neil Rigby on the nippy Hay ­ was harsh on Alvin McDonald's side who matched their high-profile Wirral neighbours for 90 minutes.

'It was disappointing to lose a goal so late in the match but I was delighted with our overall performance,' said McDonald.

'Tranmere are two weeks ahead of us in their pre-season preparations and they looked pretty sharp.'

Rovers had the better of the first half and Vauxhalls' keeper Chris Holmes was called upon to make smart saves from Hay, Paul Rideout and Alan Morgan.

The hosts' only worthwhile effort came from the boot of left-back Kevin Thompson, who saw a 35-yard drive tipped over by Andy Ralph in the Tranmere goal.

The Motormen moved up a gear after the break and should have snatched the lead when Terry Fearns broke through. But the former St Helens hitman clipped a left-footed shot just wide from 10 yards.

The breakthrough came when Ian Horrigan beat Richard Hinds on the left and crossed to the near post to substitute Young, who powered home a header from close range.

It looked like Vauxhalls would hold on for a famous win until Koumas stepped up to equalise with almost the last kick of the game.

Vauxhall: Holmes, Rigby, Thompson, Brazier, Haddrell, Lawton, Nesbitt, Lynch, Cumiskey, Fearns, Vicary.

Tranmere: Ralph, Hinds, Yates, Sharps, Jobson, Morgan, Gill, Koumas, Rideout, Hay, Goodall.

Referee: John Stokes (Wirral).

Attendance: 532.