Brentford 1 Tranmere 2

Last updated : 01 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

In form Tranmere Rovers maintained their push for the play-offs with this 2-1 victory against Brentford at Griffin Park.

The game got off to a scrappy start with neither side able to take control of the match. The home team lost midfielder Ed Hutchinson after only ten minutes when he went off after a clash of heads with Gary Jones.

Rovers took the lead when Jones' throughball was cleared by keeper Paul Smith and the ball took a deflection to Tranmere's man-of-the-match Iain Hume who from 25 yards fired home into the unguarded net.

The home side's first real effort on goal came on the half-hour mark when Michael Dobson's 25-yard strike went way off target.

Four minutes later the Bees should of equalised when a Leon Constantine shot fell kindly to Stephen Hughes six yards out, but his left foot effort was blocked by the keeper.

At the other end after 38 minutes Hume fired wide from 20 yards and two minutes later Jason Price saw his 30-yard strike easily saved by keeper Smith.

Two minutes after the break Rovers extended their lead when a Jones cross from the right to the far post was met by Ian Sharps who scored easily with a header from six yards.

On the hour mark Bees keeper Paul Smith made saves from Alex Hay and Simon Haworth and Smith was also kept busy on 71 and 74 minutes making two more impressive stops.

On the stroke of full time, home captain Dobson hit the crossbar with a 25-yard right foot strike and deep into injury time Brentford grabbed a consolation goal when a Dobson corner caused problems in the visitors defence and Ibrahima Sonko struck it home from close range.