TRANMERE Rovers hauled themselves back into the Football League on Saturday, dramatically overcoming Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final despite a first-minute red card.

Defender Liam Ridehalgh was shown a straight red for a reckless two-footed tackle on Ricky Shakes after just 54 seconds.

But on seven minutes James Norwood looped in a cross from the left that was emphatically headed home by Tranmere’s Andy Cook for his 28th goal of the season.

A hasty reshuffle by Rovers saw the replacement of midfielder Larnell Cole by defender Eddie Clarke, and rightwinger Josh Ginnelly, who was struck on the head by a bottle thrown from the Boreham Wood end, by Connor Jennings, himself only 10 days out of hospital.

Rovers doggedly refused to allow Boreham Wood to get into their stride and clung on until Bruno Andrade slotted an equaliser into the bottom corner in the eighth minute of first-half injury time.

With all three Tranmere subs on the pitch before half-time, Jay Harris having been brought on for the injured Ritchie Sutton, the second half was a massive test of the side’s stamina and resolve.

Pressing for a breakthrough, Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard threw on strikers Joe Quigley and Sorba Thomas late in the second half, but Rovers’ back line frustrated their repeated efforts to get in behind.

Then, 10 minutes from extra time, Jennings sent in a cross from the right that Norwood nodded towards the bottom left corner, with keeper Grant Smith at full stretch failing to keep it out.