Tranmere R 0 - 1 Doncaster R

Attendance: 7,551

Match Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria)

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After an unbeaten run of eight games, Tranmere were finally undone by high-flying Doncaster Rovers at Prenton Park on Saturday in a fairly drab encounter from a game that promised so much on paper.

With ex-Rovers players Jason Price and Gareth Roberts featuring in the Doncaster starting line-up and with recently switched Gareth Taylor on the bench there was a somewhat familiar feel about both sides as they lined up to begin the game.

Tranmere Boss Ronnie Moore made just one enforced change to the side that drew 1-1 at Bristol Rovers last week with Steven Jennings - suspended for his red card in that last game - being replaced in central midfield by John Mullin.

After a huddle from both sides prior to kick-off, there was barely time for everyone to take their seats before the visitors went in front.  A double mistake from Antony Kay allowed James Coppinger a shot from 25 yards and unsurprisingly he made no mistake with a superb strike.

The rest of the first half saw few real goal chances with Jason Price chasing down a number of long balls aimed in his direction but failing to get on the end of any whilst at the other end, Greenacre and Moore both missed chances whilst Robbie Stockdale also fired over the crossbar.

A poor first half then ended somewhat unsurprisingly with no further goals and left the home fans hoping for changes and a better second half showing.

HALF-TIME - TRANMERE ROVERS 0 - 1 DONCASTER ROVERS

There were no changes to either side at half-time despite signs during the break that Calvin Zola and Adnan Ahmed may have been ready to feature in the second half.

The home Rovers came out of the blocks better in the opening exchanges of the second half with Greenacre going close before Doncaster suffered a blow seven minutes into the half when Jason Price had to leave the game through injury, being replaced by an old foe of Tranmere in the shape of Stuart Elliott from whom more drama was to come later.

Paul McLaren went close for the visitors as the game descended into hoofball from both sides, making it a poor spectacle for the fans.

Just after the hour mark, Calvin Zola replaced Jennison Myrie-Williams who had been ineffective for most of the game after spells on both wings.  Craig Curran replaced Chris Greenacre with six minutes remaining as Moore went close for Tranmere and Coppinger again for the visitors.

There was still time for drama in injury time as firstly Stuart Elliott disgracefully assaulted Robbie Stockdale but only earned a yellow card for his efforts before Gareth Taylor made his Doncaster debut against his former side in injury time around the same time that an idiotic Rovers fan decided to run onto the pitch and try to assault Donny Keeper Neil Sullivan.

In spite of the late drama it was a terrible match and neither side could add any more goals as Doncaster took the points back up the M62 and moved back into third place in League One.

FULL-TIME -TRANMERE ROVERS 0 - 1 DONCASTER ROVERS

Weather Report

A very cold, windy and dull day matched the quality of the game itself with little excitement to keep the 7000+ crowd warm.  Is Spring really on its way?

Crowd

7,551 were inside Prenton Park for this game and bar the 700 or so from Yorkshire, the majority of the rest will have wished they had stayed at home.

Referee Watch

Mike Pike (Cumbria) - Missed an incident that could well have seen Ian Goodison get into more trouble than he did and also appeared to miss Jason Price slapping a Tranmere Player during the first half .  Overall though he had a decent game in the middle - 7/10

Best Moment

There aren't many to choose from but the site of Jason Price limping off will have pleased most Rovers fans despite the fact that he should have gone off with a red card earlier in the game for raising his arm to a Tranmere Player.

Funniest Moment

The only real moment of Comedy that sticks out was Ian Goodison smashing part of the Paddock's Advertising Boards in the first half - that's how good the game really was!

Tranmere Man of the Match

Shane Sherriff - Many will disagree but I thought Shane had an excellent game both on the left of midfield and later in the centre.  Another contender for the award was the excellent as ever Paul McLaren.

Opposition's Main Man

James Coppinger - Little surprise with this one as Coppinger has always played well when I have seen him face Tranmere and his goal in this game was fantastic.  Gareth Roberts also did well for Doncaster.

Connections

Three ex-Rovers featured in the Doncaster side today with Jason Price and Gareth Roberts starting and Gareth Taylor making his Donny debut from the Subs Bench in the final minutes of the game.

Away Fans

Rumour has it that Donny wanted more tickets than Tranmere allocated to them but those that were there from Yorkshire were mostly quiet apart from when they scored the opening goal.  They do always seem a friendly bunch of fans though and today was no exception.

Summary

After going behind so early to a decent side in this League I would probably have taken a draw in what was a terrible game.  In the end though it wasn't to be and Tranmere still find themselves looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack - most of whom won today.

Entertainment Value

Today's game was about as un-entertaining as they come.  It was a game that disappointed after much expectation in the build-up - 5/10

Atmosphere

The atmosphere was poor from both sides.  Donny Fans made some noise when they scored and The Kop and parts of the Main Stand tried to get behind the home side in the second half - 5/10

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