Tranmere stun Saints in comeback thriller
Stuart Barlow capped a sensational comeback for cup specialists Tranmere last night as John Aldridge's side came from three goals down at half-time to book a quarter-final home clash with Liverpool.
The veteran Paul Rideout, who scored Everton's winner when they beat Manchester United in the 1995 Wembley Final, almost single-hand-edly dragged Tranmere back into the tie.
First, in the 59th minute, the 36-year-old swept in an Andy Parkinson drive to revive home hopes. Then, in the 71st minute, he forced home a second from a Jason Koumas corner to create mayhem at Prenton Park.
He completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute - and three minutes later Barlow was on hand to head a dream winner.
Earlier, Hassan Kachloul found himself back in favour with Southampton fans as Glenn Hoddle's side went on the first-half scoring spree. Angry supporters branded him greedy after he not only turned down the club's offer of new terms but priced himself out of a move to Ipswich.
It was all forgotten, though, following a superb 12th-minute solo effort when the Moroccan curled in a precise 25-yard shot.
A swift break in the 26th minute ended with Kachloul cutting the ball back into the six-yard area to give Jo Tessem had the simplest of finishes.
Worse followed for Tranmere when Southampton extended their lead in first-half injury-time. Tessem won the aerial duel for Kachloul's free-kick, and Dean Richards bundled the ball home from a couple of yards out.
