KAY DONS GIFT NOT SO SPECIAL

Feb 25 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

RONNIE MOORE identified poor decision-making as the factor that most frustrated Tranmere’s attempts to overturn second-place MK Dons in the 1-1 draw at Prenton Park on Saturday, writes Nick Hilton.

The manager was critical of the misjudged tackle by skipper Antony Kay that gifted the Dons the lead from the penalty spot on 74 minutes. And after Terry Gornell’s 83rd-minute equaliser earned a point, Moore lamented how Rovers starved themselves of scoring opportunities.

“We needed a spark and the final ball into the box wasn’t good enough,” Moore said.

“We made too many wrong decisions in the attacking third of the field. Be it a cross or a shot, we made too many poor choices.

“That’s what we need to improve to make ourselves a better side because I could not fault the effort.”

Tranmere took the game to MK Dons but fell behind when Kay overstretched into a tackle on striker Aaron Wilbraham, conceding a penalty that was converted by Peter Leven.

“It was indiscipline for the penalty, a crazy decision was made,” Moore said. “I don’t think the referee had much option but to give it. I did not think MK Dons were going to score all day.

“They have had 10 away wins and I don’t know how when you look at the way they played. The ball must have had a headache. Everything was hit long.”

The draw, combined with results elsewhere, enabled Tranmere to edge within three points of the League One play-off zone.

But Moore saw successive 1-1 draws against third placed Peterborough and second-placed MK Dons as a mixed blessing.

He said: “I am disappointed. I look at these two games and think what a wonderful opportunity they were if we had won them. There was nothing between the teams in each game.”

Moore plans to give some of his senior players a little extra time off this week ahead of next Saturday’s encounter with Swindon Town at Prenton Park.

He explained: “We have been playing two games a week for the last month and because of the injuries, we have been using the same group of players in most games.”

Ian Goodison is likely to be in for treatment today after taking a couple of blows on his ankle.

The Jamaican international made an earlier than expected return to the side on Saturday, three weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage at Crewe. Moore explained: “No-one else at this club or at most other clubs would have played in Ian’s condition. His running was fine and his left foot was fine but his right ankle was a little bit sore. He played without an injection and gave his all.” He was involved in a couple of block tackles and it eventually told on him.”

Goodison went off as part of a treble substitution on 82 minutes with Moore bringing on winger Ed Sonko and teenager Gornell.

It was Gornell’s first Rovers goal, although he notched four in a loan spell at Accrington earlier in the season.

“We had nothing to lose in making the substitutions and I would have made them if the score was 0-0 because we really needed to win the game,” Moore said.

“I was pleased for Terry. He is a strong player and has an eye for goal.”