Football: Rovers' own-goal agony: McGreal makes a name for himself

Leicester City . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Tranmere Rovers. . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

TRANMERE'S John McGreal, a 21-year-old defender who had never previously found the net at senior level, contrived to score for both sides in last night's First Division draw on a Filbert Street quagmire.

McGreal, who put the Merseysiders ahead early on, also presented a lack-lustre Leicester with the second-half equaliser which takes them a point clear of Charlton in second place. Nevertheless, Tranmere looked in good shape for Sunday's date with destiny and Aston Villa, when they will be defending a 3-1 advantage in the second leg of the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final.

Three inspections had been necessary before the snow- dusted pitch was pronounced fit. Tranmere had spent the afternoon sweating on the verdict, knowing that a postponement would mean the suspended Eric Nixon and Tony Thomas missing the game at Villa Park.

Ron Atkinson, the watching Villa manager, must have been impressed by Tranmere's positive opening which brought them a sixth-minute lead. Liam O'Brien's free-kick was allowed to creep through a crowded Leicester area to the far post, where McGreal side- footed the ball into the net.

Danny Coyne, Nixon's understudy in goal, denied David Speedie an instant equaliser, but Tranmere dominated the first half when Chris Malkin and John Aldridge each sent efforts across the face of an unguarded goal.

One typically fluent Tranmere move, in the 51st minute, had Gavin Ward diving to clutch Malkin's goalbound shot. Almost immediately, however, there was a reminder of the visitors' need for a second goal as David Oldfield drove a free-kick against Coyne's left post.

In the 67th minute, moments after an Iwan Roberts 'goal' was ruled out for a foul on Coyne, Leicester's aerial approach earned an equaliser when the ubiquitous McGreal sliced in an Ian Ormondroyd header that was going wide. The high-rise midfielder promptly spurned a similar opening, but Tranmere deservedly made their point.

Leicester City (4-4-2): Ward; Grayson, Carey, Whitlow, Lewis; Mills (Joachim, 14), Coatsworth, Oldfield, Ormondroyd; Speedie, Roberts. Substitutes not used: Philpott, Hoult (gk).

Tranmere Rovers (1-4-3-2): Coyne; Hughes; Nolan, Higgins, McGreal, Brannan (Mungall, 71); Nevin, O'Brien, Irons; Aldridge, Malkin. Substitutes not used: Morrissey, Jones (gk).

Referee: J Rushton (Stoke-on-Trent).