Tranmere 1-0 Doncaster

Last updated : 10 February 2007 By Matthew Jones
Greenacre goal secure's points for Rovers
A header from Chris Greenacre in the first half earned Tranmere their first win in four as they defeated promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers at Prenton Park.

Ronnie Moore made two changes to the side which lost 1-0 at Oldham seven days ago, as John Achterberg replaced Gavin Ward and Jason McAteer replaced John Mullin (hamstring). Three former Tranmere players were in the line-up for Doncaster, as Jason Price, Sean Thornton and Gareth Roberts all started.

Tranmere had the first chance of the game as Chris McCready's weak header was saved by Donny 'keeper Smith from Shuker's free-kick on the right, whilst John Achterberg, making his first start in the league at Prenton Park since November 26th 2005, saved easily from Jason Price's weak effort.

On six minutes, Tranmere took the lead with Chris Greenacre netting his 13th goal of the season and his first since Boxing Day when he scored twice in Rovers 2-2 draw with Huddersfield.

Paul McLaren put another free-kick in to the penalty area, with Gareth Taylor knocking the ball goalwards before Greenacre drifted in at the far post to put the ball into the back of the net.

On 11 minutes another Greenacre header was saved by Smith before on-loan defender John Thompson, playing at centre-back, went down injured on 25-minutes and was replaced by Shane Sherriff, himself returning from illness.

On 31-minutes, John Achterberg made a great saved from Paul Green's header before McCready did brilliantly to make his first of a numbr of key blocks from Jamie Coppinger.

On the counter attack on 38-minutes, Chris Shuker show narrowly wide from just outside the area after he had recieved the ball from Gareth Taylor whilst they continued to pile on the pressure a minute later as Greenacre shot wide.

Chris McCready was lucky not to be sent off minutes later as he brought down Jason Price just outside the area when the former Tranmere winger was clear through on goal. The Vikings missed their chance from the free-kick however, as Coppinger hit the wall before the ball was cleared.

With 30-minutes left, Rovers suffered another injury as left-winger Kevin Ellison limped off with what looked like a calf injury, replaced by Danny Harrison.

On 66-minutes, Tranmere had the chance to seal the game as Paul McLaren broke through on goal from Jason McAteer's pass but his lob landed on the roof of the net with Smith beaten.

Harrison and Tremarco combined on the Rovers left next with 12 minutes left and the later produced a fine save from Smith with his shot heading towards the top-left hand corner.

A huge cheer rang round Prenton Park minutes later as Sean Thornton, jeered every time he layed foot on ball by the Tranmere fans, put a very weak shot into the side netting whilst at the other end Greenacre and Taylor were unlucky not to get a couple of chances as through balls from the midfield skidded out of play on the wet turf.

The last chance of the game came on 83-minutes as Paul McLaren show narrowly wide from just outside the box whilst Rovers defender brilliantly at the other end, closing Doncaster out to earn their second clean sheet of 2007.

Ronnie Moore will no doubt be delighted with the win, which moves Rovers up to sixth in the table, and the play-off zone, thanks to Swansea losing to Oldham and Blackpool not playing.

Jones' Man Of The Match: Paul McLaren for me was man of the match as he put in some great passes and tackles through-out, although he was run close by Chris McCready who was solid in defence whilst Danny Harrison did well during the 30 minutes he was on the pitch.