OXFORD UTD.......................2

TRANMERE ROVERS............2

(Att: 4,681)

JASON Koumas's curled equaliser earned Tranmere Rovers a replay against Oxford United in the FA Cup second round.

Manager Micky Adams made two changes to the team that beat Portsmouth a week earlier, with Marcus Holness coming in for the injured Will Aimson and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin replacing James Rowe.

Cole Stockton broke the deadlock for Rovers on 33 minutes. Shamir Fenelon's pace took him into the area and his cross was flicked into the bottom corner by Stockton from six yards.

Tyrone Barnett struck twice in five minutes for Oxford, heading home his first from Danny Rose's corner.

Barnett sealed his second from Joe Riley's pass. Oxford soon had the ball in the Tranmere net again, but Riley's close-range effort was ruled out for offside.

Guy Madjo, Kayode Odejayi and Jason Koumas were then brought on with Jahraldo-Martin, Stockton and Danny Holmes making way.

Koumas made a big impact soon after. The veteran midfielder picked up possession wide on the righ and hit a superb, curling effort from long range to level the scores.

Tranmere keeper Fon Williams saved from Callum O'Dowda on 83 minutes, and got down well to keep out a shot from Barnett in added time to ensure the tie went to a replay.

Adams said: "It was a cracking cup tie, end-to-end, particularly in the second half.

"In the first half I was really pleased with the performance, we were slightly unfortunate not to go in two to the good.

"I was delighted to see Cole notch that after a great run from Shamir. I think his pace caused Oxford problems all day.

"It's a cup tie and there's nothing to lose, so we expected them to throw a few more bodies forward.

"Hylton started to get at our back four and cause us problems and then we concede from a set piece,which disappoints me no end. We're not the biggest side but I still feel we should have coped with it better.

"They looked to be in the ascendancy then, and when they got their second it looked game over.

"But what resilience we showed again. We've got that 'never say die' spirit inside the camp.

"We rode our luck but we're in the hat - and that's all that matters."

Rovers are next in action on Tuesday evening at Prenton Park when they play Walsall in the semi-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Kick-off will be at 7.45pm.