Ten man Rovers twice led at Gresty Road but went home empty handed from a highly entertaining New Year's Day game.

Tranmere twice led in the first half through goals from Andy Taylor and Chris Greenacre, but Crewe levelled before taking the lead following the sending off of Ian Goodison.

Paul McLaren curled in a free kick midway through the second half to give Rovers hopes of a point, but Danny O'Donnell found the net late on for the hosts to secure the win.

Ronnie Moore went with an unchanged starting line-up following the 1-0 win over Cheltenham. Former Rovers defender Chris McCready lined up at the centre of defence for Crewe.

On four minutes Steve Jennings produced the first shot of the match, forcing Ben Williams to dive low to his right with a 25 yard effort from a central position.

The first goal of the game came in spectacular fashion four minutes later. A corner won by Jennison Myrie-Williams was taken by Paul McLaren and fired towards the edge of the area to Andy Taylor. The full back brought the ball down with his first touch and fired into the top right corner of the net with his second, bringing a huge cheer out of the noisy away support.

It was close to being level less than a minute later, though. Crewe quickly went on the attack and Danny Coyne had to be at his best to keep out a close range header from Nicky Maynard.

Myrie-Williams brought a good save out of Williams on 16 minutes after cutting inside on to his left foot, while Maynard again forced Coyne to turn behind for a corner seconds later at the opposite end.

The home side thought they had levelled on 17 minutes from the set piece that followed. After Rovers half cleared, the ball fell to McCready 12 yards out and he found the net in emphatic fashion, however the effort was ruled out as one of his team mates was offside.

In another quick attack, Tranmere could have doubled their lead. Calvin Zola held the ball up on the left wing before curling a through ball to McLaren with the outside of his foot. The midfielder tried to bend his shot into the far corner from 12 yards but his effort was too close to Williams and the keeper saved. Soon after, Robbie Stockdale sent a shot crashing into the advertising hoardings behind the goal as Rovers continued to press forward.

Simon Church missed with a header for the hosts on 30 minutes, but seconds later they were awarded a penalty when Antony Kay bundled over Ben Rix two yards inside the area. Just as he did at Prenton Park earlier in the season, Gary Roberts stepped up to take the kick and blasted the ball past Coyne into the net to equalize.

It didn't take long for Rovers to regain the lead. On 31 minutes Ryan Lynch held on to the ball for too long at the back allowing Tranmere to regain possession with Chris Greenacre. The striker made his way inside the area and smashed a shot high into the net from a tight angle.

Again the action swung back to the other end, with Lynch forcing Coyne to punch a curling free kick behind for a corner after Kay had been booked for a foul on the edge of the area.

Shane Sherriff curled a free kick into the hands of Williams on 43 minutes, while Danny Woodards almost turned a Myrie-Williams cross into his own net soon after as Rovers ended the half 2-1 up.

An early second half shot from Neil Cox deflected off Jennings and went behind for a corner. The ball was then crossed in from the left with Roberts heading in for his second equaliser of the match.

Ronnie Moore sent his players out before the end of half time in a bid to end the poor starts his side had made to recent second halves. However, an early shot from Neil Cox deflected off Jennings and went behind for a corner. The ball was then crossed in from the left with Roberts heading in for his second equaliser of the match.

On 53 minutes Greenacre came close to his second of the game. The striker received the ball from Stockdale inside the area, turned and fired in a low shot which Williams could only gather at the second attempt at his near post.

Rovers were reduced to ten men on 65 minutes when Ian Goodison was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Ryan Lowe inside the centre circle.

Ben Chorley replaced Myrie-Williams and went straight into the centre of defence but the change didn't prevent Alex from taking the lead. From the free kick that followed Maynard headed past Coyne from close range despite signs of handball in the scramble prior to his finish.

Rovers levelled on 74 minutes. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the area and McLaren curled the ball low into the right side of the goal.

Coyne kept out a powerful shot from Maynard on 84 minutes with a magnificent one handed save and the keeper repeated the feat four minutes later as Crewe pressed forward.

However, from the corner that followed, Crewe took the lead once again, this time Danny O'Donnell finding the net from close range.

Referee: John Moss

Yellow cards: Kay (33), Roberts (40), Lynch (62), O'Donnell (89)

Red card: Goodison (65)

Away support: 1,108