A late goal from Bromley captain Jack Holland ensured the Ravens returned from Birkenhead with a point from a classic game of two contrasting halves.
Having played Tranmere on three previous occasions in the Vanarama National League and been defeated without scoring each time, hopes were not high for Bromley. However following the 56th minute dismissal of Tranmere right back Adam Buxton Bromley were able to take full advantage of the extra man to launch a fightback and secure a historic point.
That said based on their performance in the first half it was any wonder Bromley were not already dead and buried by half-time. Twice in the opening fifteen minutes the Bromley defence gave Tranmere top scorer Andy Cook the freedom of the penalty area to bag his 14th and 15th goal of the season.
Cook’s first came courtesy of a Ben Tollit corner that he powerfully headed beyond Alan Julian. With Bromley unable to pick up men at set pieces, Cook scored his second on the quarter hour. A Jeff Hughes free kick was headed goalwards by an unmarked James Norwood and despite a great fingertip save by Alan Julian he could only deflect the ball into the path of Cook who tapped in for the second.
Tranmere should have been three nil ahead when great interchange between Cook and Norwood allowed the latter to run through on goal, although Norwood was able to shoot beyond Julian his goal bound effort was cleared off the line by Alan Dunne.
Bromley’s solitary opportunity of the half was created by the ever resourceful Brandon Hanlan, his enterprising run down the left wing, opened up space for George Porter but as Porter’s shot was charged down the ball fell kindly for Blair Turgott only for the winger to shoot wastefully into the side netting.
One-way traffic resumed shortly afterwards and on-loan Liverpool striker Jack Dunn was next to test the Bromley goal, firing his 25 yard free-kick inches over the bar. Dunn and Cook then should both have done better when played through on goal however on both occasions Julian denied them with excellent saves.
Late on in the half Norwood headed over a Tollit corner when he perhaps should have tested Julian.
The half time whistle brought welcome respite for Bromley and Neil Smith responded to the one-sided half with an immediate tactical switch. Jordan Higgs replaced Dave Martin as Bromley switched to 4-3-3 for the second half.
With Bromley a bit more compact defensively although not threatening in Tranmere’s final third. There can be no doubt that the decision made by referee Karl Evans to send off Adam Buxton changed the complexion of the game. As part of a general all round erratic performance by the official, Evans adjudged Buxton’s tackle on Joe Anderson to be reckless and dismissed Buxton to huge howls of derision from the Tranmere faithful.
Sensing an opportunity Bromley proceeded to take advantage of the extra man by not only controlling the tempo of the game but sensibly using the width of the pitch to constantly stretch their hosts.
Within nine minutes of the sending off, Bromley pulled a goal back. An incisive through ball from Dunne freed up Porter to deliver a first time cross that Hanlan poked in beyond Scott Davies.
Buoyed by the goal, Hanlan then tried his luck from 25 yards forcing a comfortable save from Davies.
In the 70th minute, referee Evans was again at the centre of controversy as he waved away a strong penalty appeal by Tollit. A marauding run by Tollit appeared to be illegally impeded by Turgott but Evans was not convinced.
In the last ten minutes of the game Tranmere dropped deeper and deeper and having used all three subs appeared to be flagging. Twice Bromley went close as a foreshadow as to what was to come. Substitute Bradley Goldberg tested Davies from distance fizzing a fierce drive just over the bar and Turgott’s driven cross eluded all players when any deflection would have yielded a goal.
Not to be dishearted Bromley carried on searching for the equaliser and were rewarded three minutes from time. Anderson’s left wing cross found Turgott at the back post whose first time volley back across the goal was turned in by Holland.
Tranmere Rovers: Davies; Buxton, Ikiekwe, McNulty©(Maynard 33), Ridehalgh; Dunn (Mangan 77), Wallace (Kirby 60), Hughes, Tollitt; Cook, Norwood.
Subs not used: Turner, Stockton
Goals: Cook 9, 15
Sent Off: Buxton 56
Bromley: Julian; Dunne, Holland ©, Chorley, Anderson; Turgott, Dymond, Minshull, Martin (Higgs 46); Porter (Goldberg 82), Hanlan
Subs not used: Johnson, Wynter, Stanic-Stewart
Goals: Hanlan 65, Holland 87
Referee: Mr Karl Evans
Attendance: 4,425 (76 Bromley)