SAM Allardyce was unrepentant as he promised to give youth another fling in the FA Cup.

He named six players aged 21 or under in his squad for Saturday's third round tie at Tranmere and says he will have no hesitation in doing the same again in the Reebok replay.

Kevin Nolan's 79th minute equaliser, scored after Simon Haworth had put Tranmere ahead, means Wanderers will play at least eight games in January -- nine if they reach the fourth round -- and Allardyce is determined to lighten the load on his first-teamers.

"I'll have to keep playing the younger end in games like these," he said defiantly, making it clear once again that the Premiership is his priority.

"It gives them very good experience."

With Wednesday's derby duel with Manchester United in mind, Allardyce made nine changes to the team that started against Leicester in the Premiership six days earlier -- three forced by suspension, six out of choice.

He fielded teenagers Danny Livesey and Charlie Comyn-Platt in a three centre-back formation and giving 17-year-old Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te his first taste of English football as a second-half substitute.

Media critics have accused him of showing disrespect to the oldest knockout competition in world football, but the Wanderers' boss dismissed the criticism.

"I don't think the changes I made degraded the competition in any way by virtue of the entertainment we provided," he said.

"I said before the game that, if we didn't have Manchester United on Wednesday, you'd have seen a much stronger side. I knew Sir Alex Ferguson would be making seven or eight changes for their cup tie and keeping his bigger players fresh for us at the Reebok because he knows the priority is the Premiership, like I do."

Wanderers have reduced admission prices for the January 13 replay with tickets going on sale at £12 and £10 for adults, £6 and £5 for juniors and £10 and £8 for pensioners.

YOUTH CHANCE: Danny Livesey holds off Tranmere's David Beresford at Prenton Park