February

After three straight wins to end the month before, Rovers began February in style with a 2-0 win at Elland Road against Leeds thanks to goals from Jennison Myrie-Williams and new signing Ian Moore.

A quick return game against Orient at Prenton Park came next and after Calvin Zola gave Rovers a second minute lead, it looked as if Rovers would add three more valuable points but Orient grabbed an equalizer three minutes from time and the game ended 1-1.

Zola - On Target Against Orient

A long Tuesday night trip to Brighton followed and the game ended 0-0 which was probably a fair result before Rovers then recorded a double over Millwall with Shane Sherriff and Ian Moore on target.

The last game of the month was away at Bristol Rovers and after Steven Jennings was sent off just before half-time it looked as if Rovers would snatch a surprise win when Antony Kay popped up with another vital goal fifteen minutes from time but with just nine minutes remaining, Craig Disley netted an equalizer and Rovers had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

MONTHLY RECORD (LEAGUE) - P6 W2 D3 L0 F6 A2

LEAGUE POSITION - 6^th POINTS - 52

March

Rovers squeezed seven games into the month of March and the run began with a 1-0 home defeat to automatic promotion chasing Doncaster Rovers thanks to a stunner of an early goal from James Coppinger.

A dismal 3-1 defeat away at Oldham followed a week later with Mike Jones netting his first and only senior goal for the Club as a consolation after two sloppy goals were given away early on by Rovers.

After the Oldham result and performance, little was expected of Rovers Tuesday night trip to League Leaders Swansea City but a much improved performance saw Rovers earn a last minute 1-1 draw thanks to Chris Greenacre.

Greenacre - Late Leveller at Swansea

Buoyed by that result, Rovers put three past ten man Hartlepool the following Saturday as Greenacre netted a rebound from his saved penalty, Hartlepool's Nelson scored an own goal and Shane Sherriff added a last minute third.  Ritchie Humphreys has grabbed a consolation in between for Pools as the game ended 3-1 to Rovers.

A 2-0 home win over Port Vale kept up Rovers hopes of a play-off place as Greenacre this time netted his penalty chance and Ian Moore added an excellent second to set Rovers up well for the long Easter Monday trip to struggling Bournemouth.

Any hopes Rovers had of a win on the South Coast looked bleaker after just 40 seconds when Ian Goodison, who had a nightmare at the same ground last season, put through his own goal to hand the Cherries the lead.  Jo Kuffour added a second and despite Antony Kay's late header, it ended 2-1 to Bournemouth who kept their survival chances alive.

The last match of the month saw Rovers win 2-1 at home to Swindon thanks to Chris Greenacre and Steven Jennings to avenge the undeserved defeat at Swindon's County Ground earlier in the season.

MONTHLY RECORD (LEAGUE) - P7 W3 D1 L0 F10 A9

LEAGUE POSITION - 6^th POINTS - 62

April

So Rovers were still in with a distant chance of a play-off place as they entered the final five matches of the season but a trip to Walsall who themselves could still make it into the top six, proved a task too far for Ronnie Moore's men.

After taking the lead through Jennison Myrie-Williams early on, Rovers then had Ben Chorley sent off as he was the last man and gave away a penalty.  The penalty was saved but ten man Rovers couldn't hold on and Walsall scored twice to seal a 2-1 win.

Chorley - Dismissed at Walsall

Automatic promotion chasing Nottingham Forest came to Prenton Park next and went home with a 2-0 win before Rovers travelled to Huddersfield and lost 1-0, a game after which their chances of a play-off place were mathematically gone and the season was effectively over.

This just left two more games and the final game of April was at home to Southend, who like Forest before them, still harboured automatic promotion hopes of their own but a header from Antony Kay was enough to earn Tranmere a 1-0 win.

MONTHLY RECORD (LEAGUE) - P7 W1 D0 L3 F2 A5

LEAGUE POSITION - 8^th POINTS - 65

May

Rovers' one and only match in May was the final game of the season away at Northampton.  With both sides having nothing to play for the fans turned up to enjoy themselves and many were in fancy dress for the occasion.

Rovers went behind to an early goal from Adebayo Akinfenwa and after Ian Goodison was perhaps controversially sent off in the second half, Rovers' season was all over as they failed to get back into the game and lost 2-1 with Chris Greenacre on the scoresheet meaning Northampton and others overtook them in the Table.

MONTHLY RECORD (LEAGUE) - P7 W1 D0 L3 F2 A5

LEAGUE POSITION - 11^th POINTS - 65

Summary

After the initial disappointment of an undeserved defeat against Leeds United on the opening day of the season, Rovers started well and sailed to the top of the League by the end of October including a run of ten games unbeaten.

The loss of Davies against Northampton proved a big blow and with Shuker quickly following him into Les Parry's treatment room, the slide began as the service to the strikers began to dry up.

Davies - Sorely Missed this Season

Ronnie replaced Davies with Jennison Myrie-Williams on loan and sealed the signing of the excellent Andy Taylor from Blackburn and just when they looked like they may sneak a play-off place it all went pear-shaped in games such as Bournemouth and Walsall away and Forest at home meaning they ultimately missed out.

Hopefully next season will be an improvement and despite Rovers' failure to make the play-offs, myself and others had a great time following the Superwhites around the Country.

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