Accrington Stanley 0 Tranmere Rovers 1: Ash Taylor scores to put Rovers through in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy

Oct 13 2011 by David Triggs, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE Rovers returned to the familiar surroundings of Accrington’s Crown Ground last night and were indebted to a goal from their new secret weapon – centre-back Ash Taylor – as they progressed into the area quarter-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Rovers had some unfinished business to take care of in Lancashire after last Tuesday’s second round tie was abandoned just before half-time when Stanley player Tom Bender was injured in a clash with his own goalkeeper, requiring more than 30 minutes of medical attention on the pitch.

Bender, now on the road to recovery after suffering severe concussion, was missing from Accrington’s line-up last night as Rovers edged to victory thanks to a solitary strike by Taylor, who is developing a handy knack of popping up with key goals.

The young defender from Eastham netted against Stanley last week – only to see the goal subsequently wiped from the record books when the match was called off – and he was on target again last night to bag his third goal of what is turning into a profitable campaign for him.

Rovers were 2-1 ahead when last week’s game was brought to a premature end – and one goal was all that separated the sides in the rematch eight days later as Les Parry’s team ground out a narrow away win.

Tranmere’s David Buchanan almost broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, advancing into space on the edge of the area before seeing a low drive pushed away for a corner by keeper Ian Dunbavin.

Then Mustafa Tiryaki, recalled to the Rovers starting line up as one of four changes made by Parry, probably thought he had put the visitors ahead in the 29th minute when a gilt-edged chance fell into his lap. A right-wing cross by the lively Lucas Akins rolled into the path of the burly striker, but Peter Murphy thwarted him with a tremendous last-ditch block which sent Tiryaki’s goal-bound shot behind for a corner.

When Rovers eventually forged ahead six minutes before the half-time break through Taylor, they had only 10 players on the field because full-back Zoumana Bakayogo was receiving treatment for a cut to the head.

Taylor profited from Accrington’s failure to deal with a long free-kick into their penalty, driving home on his right foot from close range after Jose Baxter’s initial shot had been blocked. He is now Rovers’ leading scorer this season.

Tranmere were restored to 11 players soon after the goal, with Adam McGurk replacing Bakayogo.

There was still enough time left in the first half for both sides to go close. Baxter was out of luck when he blocked Dunbavin’s clearance, only to see the ball drop agonisingly wide of the gaping Accrington goal.

Then Padraig Amond’s instinctive shot on the turn in first-half injury whistled just past the outside of Owain Fon Williams’ right-hand post.

Rovers produced a disciplined defensive display after the break, with Taylor and the ever-reliable Ian Goodison providing an effective shield in front of Fon Williams.

The hosts had only a handful of chances to level the score. Guthrie shot just wide from 20 yards on 47 minutes and the tall striker went even closer 20 minutes from time, heading a deep cross by Murphy just wide.

Rovers were happy to soak up the pressure and hit Accrington on the break. Joss Labadie blasted a low drive just wide in the 74th minute, while McGurk dragged a left-footed effort across the face of Dunbavin’s goal from a promising position.

The biggest scare of the night for Rovers came in the 80th minute. Ian Craney’s rasping free-kick was blocked by Fon Williams, who made a fine follow-up save before Guthrie headed the loose ball on to the top off the crossbar.