Jon Obika's fourth goal in a Yeovil shirt gave Manager Terry Skiverton his "proudest day in football" as Yeovil got a well-fought point against Tranmere.

The 1-1 draw, combined with the result between Cheltenham and Carlisle, means the Glovers are guaranteed safety in League One.

A nervy first few minutes saw nothing more than a hopeful Paul Warne pass fail to reach Jon Obika and a Tranmere free kick that went horribly wrong.

If the players were nervous, the fans certainly weren't; the Glovers faithful were making themselves heard right from the start.

If it wasn't 'the entertainer' ringing round Prenton Park, it was the cries of "shoot" any time Chris Weale touched the ball.

Andros Townsend, complete with red boots, was causing all sorts of problems down the left; he exchanged passes with both Gavin Tomlin and Obika before the ball was finally scrambled away by a swinging Tranmere boot.

Chris Weale was called into action for the first time with 15 minutes on the clock. The Glovers number one was well positioned to smother an Ian Moore shot at point blank range.

Paul Warne was soon denied what looked a stonewall penalty. Not only did referee R. Beeby not give the decision in Yeovil's favour, he booked Warne for diving

The pitch was slippery and the underfoot conditions not only presented Yeovil with the best chance of the half, it cost them it as well.

Ryan Shotton slipped and gave Obika with a near perfect sight of goal, only for him to slip over before he could get his shot away.

Yeovil's attacks were fast and furious and their defending seemed equally solid.

Craig Alcock and Terrell Forbes putting their bodies on the line on more than one occasion.

Alcock was not just making his presence felt at the back, time after time his runs forward were causing problems too; Townsend and Warne both saw snap shots go wide of the mark from the right-back's crosses.

Half Time - Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Yeovil Town

The second half started much like the first.

When the dust had settled, Tomlin was inches away from connecting with two crosses, from Nathan Smith and Warne respectively.

The Glovers fans were brought to their feet again, a quick turn and shot by Gavin Tomlin, nearly crept through the 'keepers legs.

Skiverton turned to his bench and made the first change with just under an hour gone, Andros Townsend had once again put in a mammoth shift and Andy Welsh replaced him in a like for like switch.

Danny Schofield was controlling the midfield and he was soon on a run towards the Tranmere back line. He unleashed a demon shot, only for it to rattle the crossbar with Coyne beaten.

Ronnie Moore's response was to bring on Terry Gornell for Edrissa Sonko and move to a 4-3-3.

Within moments of the switch, Gavin Tomlin and Jon Obika combined brilliantly to put Yeovil 1-0 up, Obkia's calm finish one to savour as he nut-megged the on rushing 'keeper.

Tranmere weren't ready to concede defeat; Ian Moore was once again in the thick of it drawing a free kick from Aaron Brown.

Antony Kay stepped up only to give Chris Weale some catching practise.

Obika was showing anyone from Tottenham who might've been watching, exactly what he could do. He twisted and turned the defence inside out before blasting a shot inches wide.

With time running out for Tranmere, Charlie Barnett was replaced by Robbie Burns.

The change worked, a long throw in from Shotton evaded everyone except skipper Antony Kay, who livened up a quiet Prenton Park with a thunderous left footed volley to draw the home side level.

Yeovil were once again pushing forward. The fourth official decided three minutes of added time would be all that separated Yeovil from another season in League One.

With the seconds ticking down, news of the Cheltenham vs. Carlisle score filtered through. The final whistle went soon after to loud cheers from the Yeovil supporters.

Skiverton and his men gathered on the pitch to celebrate a vital point.

They went on to throw their shirts into the fans, who have deserved another season in League One.


By Ben Barrett