Ronnie Moore delighted with Tranmere’s win at Oldham

Mar 25 2009 by Terry Owen, Birkenhead News

Ronnie Moore was delighted with Tranmere’s win at Oldham Athletic

MANAGER Ronnie Moore described Tranmere’s victory at Oldham as “sweet and well-deserved”.

Second-half goals by Charlie Barnett and Ian Moore ended Rovers four-game losing streak to the Latics and kept them within two points of the League One play-off zone.

The success, Tranmere’s fifth on the road, also spoiled the welcome home party for Joe Royle, who started his second spell as Oldham manager with a defeat.

Moore said: “That win was long overdue. Our record against Oldham, both home and away, has not been good. So I did enjoy it. We wasted an opportunity by losing at Cheltenham in midweek but I knew the lads would be up for this one. They knew how important it was. It’s given us a chance. Someone has got to go to Wembley for the play-off final. So why should it not be us.”

Moore admitted Royle’s return to Boundary Park at the start of the week had made the game more difficult. He said: “There was a lot of hype and I wish Joe all the best for the future. He will get them going. Oldham are a good side with good players and they are not out of the race themselves. But it was vital we came here and spoiled the party for them.”

Moore described Tranmere’s performance as “mature and cultured”.

He added: “We stayed organised at the back and scored our goals in important times, shortly after half-time and 15 minutes from the end.

“Charlie Barnett’s goal was a great finish and when that went in I thought it was going to be our day.

“Steve Jennings made a great run before he was brought down for the penalty. Ian Moore showed some guts by wanting to take the kick and stuck it in the back of the net. We needed the cushion of that second goal and the bonus was Stefan Stam being sent off for a second bookable offence.”

Rovers took more than 1,000 fans to Boundary Park and they were rewarded by witnessing only their second away win since October.

Four of Tranmere’s seven remaining games are also away from home, starting with a trip to Brighton on Saturday.

Moore isn’t setting his team targets but is willing to guess what it might take to secure a top-six finish.

He said: “We have three home games left which we need to win and we’ll need another two away wins. So it’s all there to play for.”

Moore kept new loan signing Robbie Burns on the bench.

The 18-year-old winger from Leicester City arrived at Prenton Park at the weekend, effectively to fill the gap left by another teenage loan player, Preston’s Danny Mayor, who suffered a hamstring injury after impressing in three senior appearances.

Moore said: “Like Danny, Robbie has good skill on the ball and can go past people.

“ He will get his opportunity with us. But this was not the right day for his first game.”