All square at Prenton Park

Two sides safe in mid-table settled for a 1-1 draw as Tranmere played out the closing stages against Hartlepool with 10 men.

A poor first-half eventually came to life when Rovers went ahead out of the blue in the 40th minute. John Welsh fired home from a Lucas Akins cross after good work by Zoumana Bakayogo. Earlier Adam McGurk blazed over from the edge of the box before Ryan Noble wasted a good opportunity for Pool shortly afterwards, fluffing his shot after getting the better of defender Ian Goodison. Luke James was not far off target for the visitors with a long range effort a couple of minutes before the break. Defences continued to dominate later on with neither goalkeeper having much to do before Pool levelled in the 69th minute through Antony Sweeney who finished well after a fine solo run. Tranmere were reduced to 10 men two minutes later, with keeper Owain Fon Williams dismissed for a trip on Noble inches outside the box. Neil Austin struck a post with the subsequent free kick.