Tranmere will not surrender

Apr 16 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

TRANMERE boss Ronnie Moore refused to “wave the white flag” of the surrender on his side’s play-off ambitions after a home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

But he acknowledged that Rovers have been left to rely on rivals slipping up to stand any chance of securing a top-six finish over the final three games in League One.

Tranmere slid back to ninth place in the table, five points outside the play-off zone as a result of 2-0 reverse to a Forest side, who are all but guaranteed a play-off spot of their own.

Moore said: “The issue is not done and dusted but it is out of our hands now. All we can do is win our three remaining games and hope that results (elsewhere) take care of the rest.

“It’s not too late. There is no white flag going up here. It is going to be difficult but you never say never in football because strange things do happen. We have to do our part and then hope someone up there smiles on us.”

Moore revealed he was frustrated that his team were unable to convert a “positive and bright” performance against Forest into the victory they needed.

The visitors snatched a goal on the break through striker Nathan Tyson 11 minutes before the interval and added a second through defender Wes Morgan on 51 minutes to secure the points.

Moore added: “I don’t know how we came in 1-0 down at the interval because it was a case of total domination by us in the first half.

“That was the best we have played at home for a long time. We got the wins in the other games but it did not go for us this time.

“I have nothing but praise for the way the players performed. We lost our last two games after playing as well as we have all season in the first half of both of them.

“At Walsall, a refereeing decision went against us and cost us the game. I could not fault the referee this time but we did not get any breaks and I think Forest were fortunate to come away with a win.”

But Moore was critical of the defensive lapses that led to the two Forest goals.

Goalkeeper Danny Coyne missed his kick from an attempted clearance after Tyson outpaced Antony Kay onto the through ball for the first goal.

The Prenton Park boss reckoned Tranmere’s markers “went asleep” in giving Morgan a free header for the second goal.

Moore said: “The goals were the result of mistakes being made by us. The first was the kind you would not expect to see in a Sunday league game.”

He was also critical of midfielders Paul McLaren and Steve Jennings after they picked up second-half cautions that will cost each of them a two-match suspension.

McLaren’s 10th booking of the season was for attempting to take a quick free-kick after being refused permission by the referee. Jennings’ 10th yellow was for a late challenge.

Moore added: “It was a total lack of discipline from the two players. They knew it was the last day when getting to 10 bookings would result in a ban.”