Goals either side of half time courtesy of a James Hayter penalty and David McGoldrick was enough to keep the three points down at the Fitness First Stadium and dent Rovers hopes of a play-off spot in which saw Tranmere’s first Red card of the season for Ian Goodison for two bookable offences.

After a brilliant 3-2 away victory last weekend at the expense of Port Vale it was crucial that Tranmere found their consistency in this long journey south to cement the push for a top six place.  But it was the home side who was to have the last laugh as they boosted their chances of survival in League One with two consecutive wins following last Saturdays 1-0 performance against resurgent Millwall which is surely enough to guarantee them safety.

Ronnie Moore was forced to made one tactical change to the side that emphatically disposed of Port Vale late on with Paul McLaren unavailable so Jason McAteer was drafted into the starting XI.  The opening exchanges in the first period were subdued but the pressure was mainly being applied by the home side.

Bournemouth finally managed to break the deadlock on 13 minutes wwith Chris McCready at fault for the first goal. The Cherries opener was set up by striker Steve Fletcher when he was allowed too much time on the edge of the box to set up a neat finish for David McGoldrick.

Tranmere never got going again and the writing on the wall was set for a gloomy day out for those supporters who travelled. The players looked deflated and lethargic towards every first and second ball and it was to no surprise that many fans were disgusted with the performance of the team and their reactions, after seeing what was in many peoples eyes the best away game Tranmere have played in so far which Port Vale played a huge part in.

Back to the action and after seeing Rovers go a goal behind away from home early on again the crowd stayed true to their team, chanting and singing as if they were winning. Chances were few and far between and at the end of the first half but it was the Cherries who were making all the running and could of effectively put the game to bed before half time with one solitary effort from the ex – Tottenham and England international Darren Anderton when he powered a right foot shot low into the hands of Gavin Ward.

The teams came out for the second half with both teams feeling there is a great chance of three points and if Tranmere could pull a goal back early then who knows. But it was a case of Deja-vu for Rovers supporters one again as the players had no – give and go about them. Jason McAteer was one of a minor few who continuously worked his socks into the ground, pulling the strings from the engine room and all over the pitch covering places were others simple couldn’t be bothered to do. He hassled and hurried the Bournemouth players but he enfiatably it was going to come back at them as one mans persistence could not count for 10 others.

Ian Goodison picked his first of the two bookings after 57 minutes when the referee had adjudged him to have handled Darren Anderton’s free kick in the box which Rob Lewis had no hesitation of giving.  Bournemouth hotshot James Hayter obliged by tucking away a neat penalty and in the process scored his 10^th goal of the season.  That put the game to bed but it was not over yet when the defender picked up his second bookable when making an obstruction and causing a foul.

Ronnie Moore decided to make some chances before the end when Calvin Zola came on for Chris Shuker and John Mullin made way for Danny Harrison but this was abit to late to fashion anything of a late comeback as the traveling 300 or so Rovers had to contemplate yet another woeful drive back to the Wirral.

This was like I said earlier Tranmere’s first red card of the season so in terms of the fair play league we are right up there but this does not hide the fact that this performance was well below par and needs rectifying immediately when we entertained Carlisle United next Friday night at Prenton Park. Hopefully we can banish that defeat and look forward to what will be fitting end to an overall good season.

This defeat was a huge setback for Rovers as it saw many of the rivals gain valuable points and steer further clear of the chasing pack. Swansea now take 7^th place with Blackpool slowly creeping up behind Oldham. If Tranmere are going to into the play – offs we will need abit more consistency…. Fast.