Relegated Tranmere Rovers grabbed a draw against Nottingham Forest with a Micky Mellon strike in the third minute of injury time.

Two goals from substitute Marlon Harewood looked set to give Nottingham Forest their 10th away victory after Tranmere had held an interval advantage.

Rovers went ahead after 13 minutes with a fine header by Paul Rideout from a corner by Simon Osborn.

Rideout had just signed a 12-month contract extension to see out his career with the Merseysiders.

Rovers could have been in the clear at half-time but for some terrific saves by Forest keeper Dave Beasant.

The best of them denied Alan Morgan and Seyni N'Diaye. Beasant tipped over a well placed lob by Morgan and beat out a powerful header by N'Diaye.

Harewood, who replaced the ineffective David Johnson after 58 minutes, found the target eight minutes later with a close-range effort from a cross by Riccardo Scimeca.

Tranmere should have regained the lead seven minutes later but N'Diaye completely miskicked in front of a gaping goal.

Harewood struck again for Forest in the 77th minute. He raced clear from a pass by David Prutton and fired his shot beyond Joe Murphy.

N'Diaye was certainly impressive for Tranmere and new manager Dave Watson, watching from the stands, must also have been impressed by the contribution of Steve Yates and Stuart Barlow.

Forest really only went through the motions with just two strikes on target throughout the 90 minutes.

But there were sound contribution from Christian Edwards and Andy Johnson while skipper Bart-Williams had his moments.

Tranmere's Alan Morgan and Richard Hinds collected cautions along with Forest's Stern John.

Teams:

Tranmere Murphy, Yates, Kenna, Hill (Hinds 37), Roberts (Olsen 77), Morgan, Mellon, Osborn, Rideout, Barlow (Hume 71), N'Diaye.

Subs Not Used: Ralph, Parkinson.

Booked: Morgan.

Goals: Rideout 14, Mellon 90.

Nottm Forest Beasant, Gray, Hjelde, Edwards, Edds, Scimeca, Prutton, Andy Johnson, Bart-Williams, David Johnson (Harewood 59), John.

Subs Not Used: Roche, Jones, Rogers, Vaughan.

Booked: John.

Goals: Harewood 66, 78.

Att: 9,891

Ref: W Jordan (Tring).