Gareth Edds scored six minutes into the game and six minutes from the end of it and his brace was enough to take the points despite a goal from substitute David Beresford in between for the visitors.  Despite already being guaranteed third place in League One and a play-off spot, Rovers were looking to go into next weeks Play-Off double header on the back of two straight wins following last weeks home win against Port Vale.

In spite of the need to win in order to gain confidence, Brian Little rested three first-team players and had a further two out injured meaning the Rovers side looked somewhat different to what the travelling fans are used to seeing.  Little opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Ian Hume being rested and Ian Goodison returning to the side after missing the win over Port Vale.

Tranmere’s two veteran midfielders, Mark Rankine and captain Jason McAteer were again rested with the Play-Offs in mind and replaced in the heart of midfield by Danny Harrison and Steven Jennings.  Carl Tremarco, who impressed at left-back against Vale, was used at left midfield with Theo Whitmore on the right instead of Paul Hall who partnered Chris Dagnall upfront.  Both Ryan Taylor and Gareth Roberts were missing through injury.

As the game began, the fairly open stadium appeared very windy and after just six minutes of the game the Dons were ahead with a straight-forward goal that was well finished.  A long ball was played upfield and found the feet of Dons striker Clive Platt who laid the ball off for Gareth Edds who hit a powerful drive past Achterberg and into the corner of the net.

Tranmere were stunned at going behind early as they seem to have rarely done so this year so far but the danger continued as just ten minutes after going ahead, the Dons had a chance to double their lead through Izale McLeod but John Achterberg, who signed a new two-year contract this week, was out quickly to clear the danger.

For the remainder of the first half, the wind played a huge part in dictating the pace and style of the game.  On 39 minutes, a free-kick by Rovers’ Carl Tremarco was met by Theo Whitmore but the Jamiacan could not make sufficient contact to steer the ball in and the ball ran through to Matt Baker in the Dons goal.

The final minute of the first half saw two bookings and a chance for Tranmere to equalise.  Firstly, Danny Harrison was tackled and fouled by Gary Smith on the edge of the Dons’ penalty area earning Smith a yellow card and Tranmere a free-kick.  Harrison was stretchered off and replaced by David Beresford before Carl Tremarco struck the free-kick past the wall but straight at Baker.  At the other end on the stroke of half-time, Mike Jackson earned a booking for a foul on Wade Small.

Brian Little replaced Mike Jackson with Eugene Dadi at half-time which as well as being tactical, also protected Jackson from getting a second yellow card and a suspension for the Play-Offs.  Tranmere were fortunate not to go two behind almost straight after the kick-off when McLeod met an Edds cross with an overhead kick that beat Achterberg but clipped the crossbar and went over.

Rovers began to pressurize the Dons defence and after a David Beresford free-kick had been stopped by Baker in the Dons goal, the substitute then got the visitors back on level terms.  He beat three Dons players before curling a left footed shot into the goal from the edge of the box.

Whitmore had a chance to put Rovers ahead from a Beresford corner but instead shot over the bar and Beresford shot wide as Rovers looked like they might snatch a winner.  Instead it was the home side who snatched a winner with an almost identical move that had put them ahead after just six minutes.  This time with just six minutes remaining, another long ball forward was again met by Clive Platt, this time with his head and again Gareth Edds ran onto the knock down and finished from around 20 yards.

News that Torquay had lost 2-1 at Colchester meant that the Dons had escaped relegation to League Two and caused wild celebrations from the home fans at the final whistle.

So Tranmere go into the Play-Offs on the back of a disappointing defeat albeit with a heavily weakened side and also failed to surpass their best ever points total in a season.  They now face Hartlepool on either Thursday or Friday (First Leg) and then Monday or Tuesday (Second Leg) with confirmation of dates to be confirmed shortly, along with ticket details.

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