Wayne Allison claimed another Premiership scalp for Tranmere against Sunderland in a hugely entertaining FA Cup fourth-round tie - though the First Division club's entry into the next round could be in doubt after they played the last minute of the game with an extra man on the pitch after Clint Hill had been dismissed.

Rovers' captain and leading goalscorer struck his 13th of the season in the first half to put Peter Reid's side out of the competition for the second time in three years.

But the victory was overshadowed by the dismissal of Hill for a second bookable offence in injury time.

Chaos ensued after the red card when Rovers' substitute Stephen Frail took the field immediately afterwards, leaving the home side with 11 men on the pitch - and Sunderland manager Reid furious with the match officials on the touchline.

Tranmere shaded the first period for their resilience under pressure but it was the home side who were out of the traps first and Steve Bould was forced into conceding an early free-kick.

Sorensen was forced into a diving save by Jason Koumas' setpiece, while at the other end Gareth Roberts almost gifted Kevin Phillips a chance moments later with a poor back header but Achterberg was first to react.

But Roberts almost atoned for his error with a cross which Sorensen did well to hold under pressure from Allison.

And Roberts did well to deny Nicky Summerbee after a Bould ball panicked the Rovers' defence.

Phillips finally made some room for himself after 22 minutes but Stefan Schwarz did not notice him in the area and the opportunity disappeared.

But it was Rovers who drew first blood after 25 minutes. Steve Yates was fouled halfway into the Sunderland half by Schwarz.

Roberts floated the free-kick to the far post and, as the ball bobbled in front of him, Allison hooked his right foot around it and past Sorensen.

However Sunderland were in no mood to accept defeat and Phillips could only watch in despair as his close-range header deflected off Yates and on to the crossbar and over.

The striker was again denied from just six yards when he connected with a Summerbee free-kick after 39 minutes but Achterberg dropped on the ball on the line.

Phillips played Summerbee through on the right moments later but the Rovers' goalkeeper was off his line to clear again.

And Summerbee was guilty of wasting a great chance on the stroke of half time when he drove over from the corner of the six-yard box after he had rounded Roberts.

Sunderland boss Reid swapped Bould for Jody Craddock at half time and the young defender almost made an immediate impact, putting Challinor under pressure but the Rovers' defender recovered well to clear.

Rovers made their own switch when Alan Mahon replaced Koumas five minutes into the second period. Jones pushed forward and suddenly found room to try his luck from 20 yards but his drive sailed just over the crossbar.

Chris Makin showed a rare attacking instinct after 54 minutes when he forced Achterberg to tip over from 25 yards.

Mahon was almost set clear by a long Achterberg punt but Makin stood his ground to deny the youngster.

At the other end of the field, McCann raced clear but Achterberg was again off his line to deny the former Everton man.

And Jones almost put through his own goal as the Wearsiders launched another assault on goal.

But Rovers remained firm and David Kelly was denied a winner when Schwarz blocked his eight-yard drive on the line.

In the dying seconds, Hill was adjudged to have felled Phillips and was dismissed. But amazingly Rovers sent on substitute Frail to the astonishment of all - leaving opposite number Reid fuming with the match officials.

Aldridge saw his mistake and took off Andy Parkinson for the final moments.

Teams:

Tranmere: Achterberg, Yates, Challinor, Hill, Roberts, Parkinson (Frail 90), Henry, Jones, Koumas (Mahon 50), Allison, Kelly (Taylor 79).

Subs Not Used: Nixon, Hazell.

Sent Off: Hill (90).

Booked: Jones, Hill, Henry, Roberts.

Goals: Allison 25.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Bould (Craddock 46), Butler, Gray, Summerbee, McCann, Rae, Roy, Schwarz (Reddy 82), Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Williams, Oster.

Booked: Butler, Schwarz, Roy.

Att: 15,469

Ref: R Harris (Oxford).