Les Parry remains proud of Tranmere Rovers’ efforts despite FA Cup exit to Wolverhampton Wanderers

Jan 4 2010 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Les Parry was proud of Tranmere’s FA Cup efforts as they lost a hard-fought third-round tie to Wolves at Prenton Park.

“That was a great performance from the lads and I thought we deserved something from the game,” Parry declared after the Premier League visitors won through thanks to a 76th minute strike from midfielder Matt Jarvis.

Parry added: “I think we matched Wolves over the course of the game. If ever we can take confidence from defeat, then that was it. I’m proud of the lads.

“I lost my voice from shouting towards the end because I felt for them. They did not deserve to be beaten, even though we were playing against a top-flight side.

“The worst thing that could have happened was us being battered – but that just did not happen.”

Wolves’ experienced manager Mick McCarthy sought out Parry seconds after the final whistle to congratulate the physio turned manager and his players on Tranmere’s performance.

“Mick said our lads were magnificent and well done to them,” Parry explained. “He wished us good luck in the league.”

Tranmere were left to rue their missed opportunities as Wolves secured a passage to a fourth-round tie at home to Crystal Palace later this month.

Parry added: “In the first half we had the majority of the play and a few opportunities – although Wolves had the best chance when Jarvis missed the target.

“In the second-half Wolves had us under more pressure and we created the best chance. Terry Gornell will be disappointed he missed it.

“It’s two games on the bounce now that one of our strikers has missed an open goal but it was just unfortunate.

“We tell players not to dwell on the misses not let it affect them for the rest of the game.”

Parry was also pleased with the performance of his defenders in restricting Wolves to a meagre rations of opportunities.

He said: “We defended well, particularly in the first half. We were almost a little bit too comfortable and perhaps that’s why Wolves got the chance late in the first half and then the goal.

“I would like to have another look at the goal on DVD and see whether it was a great pass that opened us up or a mistake on our part. But that’s the point about playing a Premier League team.

“If you make one little slip they will punish you for it. I certainly do not want to take any credit away from Wolves.”