Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere 1-2 Port Vale
Tranmere missed the chance to go top of League One as Port Vale took a decisive two-goal lead with first-half strikes from Jeff Smith and Leon Constantine. Vale stood firm under an onslaught and went ahead through Smith's excellent angled shot before Constantine made it two with a close-range finish. Vale keeper Mark Goodlad denied Chris Shuker and Kevin Ellison before Steve Davis set up Chris Greenacre to score. Ellison headed wide late on and saw an injury-time shot parried by Goodlad. Tranmere: Ward, Stockdale, McCready, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren, Mullin, Ellison, Greenacre, Davies. Subs Not Used: Tremarco, McAteer, Jennings, Harrison, Achterberg. Goals: Greenacre 57. Port Vale: Goodlad, McGregor, Pilkington, Walker, Miles (Talbot 63), Sonner, Harsley, Whitaker, Moore (Sodje 39), Constantine, Jeff Smith. Subs Not Used: Anyon, Abbey, Cardle. Booked: McGregor, Jeff Smith. Goals: Jeff Smith 31, Constantine 45. Att: 7,866 Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Rovers were 'mugged' says Moore
Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore felt his side were robbed after they lost 2-1 to Port Vale - and missed the chance to go top of League One on Friday evening. \"We've been mugged - at least Dick Turpin wore a mask,\" Moore fumed. \"Every time we've had an opportunity to go top, we've blown it. We've played into the other sides' hands, as the goals we gave away were a joke. \"The crowd had a little pop at half time, but if I'd paid £20 to watch, I'd have had a pop at them as well.\"

Tranmere 1-2 Port Vale
Tranmere missed the chance to go top of League One as Port Vale took a decisive two-goal lead with first-half strikes from Jeff Smith and Leon Constantine. Vale stood firm under an onslaught and went ahead through Smith's excellent angled shot before Constantine made it two with a close-range finish. Vale keeper Mark Goodlad denied Chris Shuker and Kevin Ellison before Steve Davis set up Chris Greenacre to score. Ellison headed wide late on and saw an injury-time shot parried by Goodlad. Tranmere: Ward, Stockdale, McCready, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren, Mullin, Ellison, Greenacre, Davies. Subs Not Used: Tremarco, McAteer, Jennings, Harrison, Achterberg. Goals: Greenacre 57. Port Vale: Goodlad, McGregor, Pilkington, Walker, Miles (Talbot 63), Sonner, Harsley, Whitaker, Moore (Sodje 39), Constantine, Jeff Smith. Subs Not Used: Anyon, Abbey, Cardle. Booked: McGregor, Jeff Smith. Goals: Jeff Smith 31, Constantine 45. Att: 7,866 Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Carlisle v Tranmere
Carlisle's new loan signing Kevin Harper goes straight into the squad after signing from Stoke City. The Cumbrians are still missing David Raven (groin), Karl Hawley (broken rib), and Paul Murray (knee). The trip to Brunton Park may have come too soon for Tranmere striker Gareth Taylor, who saw a specialist about his jaw injury on Wednesday. Fellow striker Calvin Zola (foot) is definitely out, but boss Ronnie Moore has no other injury problems.

Carlisle 1-0 Tranmere
Carlisle ended a run of three successive defeats but were made to fight all the way by Tranmere. Rovers nearly snatched an early lead through Kevin Ellison but his effort rebounded clear off the woodwork. But Carlisle opened the scoring when Tranmere's defence allowed Kevin Gall to drill a low shot inside the far post for his fifth of the season. Rovers had most of the play after the interval and Chris Shuker was twice denied by keeper Kieren Westwood. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlisle: Westwood, Arnison (Livesey 77), Murphy, Gray, Aranalde, Harper (Holmes 77), Lumsdon, Thirlwell, Gall, Beckford, Hackney (Billy 66). Subs Not Used: Williams, Hindmarch. Booked: Hackney. Goals: Gall 35. Tranmere: Ward, Stockdale, Goodison, McCready, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren, Mullin (Harrison 49), McAteer (Taylor 66), Greenacre, Ellison (Davies 14). Subs Not Used: Achterberg, Tremarco. Booked: McCready, Harrison, Shuker, Goodison. Att: 7,328 Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).

Thompson joins Tranmere on loan
Nottingham Forest defender John Thompson has joined League One rivals Tranmere Rovers on a month's loan. Rovers boss Ronnie Moore made his move for the 25-year-old after losing Robbie Stockdale with a hamstring injury. \"He's an experienced defender who adds height and speed to the defence. He can play along the back and in midfield,\" Moore told the club website. Thompson can also play for Tranmere in the FA Cup first round, as long as the two clubs are not drawn together.

Tranmere v Bournemouth
Tranmere hand a debut to defender John Thompson, on loan from Nottingham Forest as cover for hamstring injury victim Robbie Stockdale. Winger Kevin Ellison needs a fitness test on an ankle problem but Jason McAteer and John Mullin should be available after knee problems. Bournemouth welcome back striker Leon Best after suspension, but defender Neil Young (back) is a major doubt. Marcus Browning, Shaun Cooper, Eddie Howe and Karl Broadhurst are all out.

Tranmere 1-0 Bournemouth
Kevin Ellison's solitary strike was enough to leave Bournemouth without a win in nine league matches. Rovers' Gareth Taylor had a header turned on to the crossbar by Gareth Stewart before Ellison headed against the woodwork as Tranmere dominated. Ellison grabbed his third goal of the season in the 41st minute when he nodded home from Taylor's flick on. Steve Foley produced the Cherries' best effort on goal but his shot was turned aside by Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Ward. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Ward, Thompson, McCready, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, Mullin, McLaren, Ellison (McAteer 72), Taylor, Greenacre (Davies 82). Subs Not Used: Tremarco, Harrison, Achterberg. Booked: Shuker, Mullin, McCready, Davies. Goals: Ellison 41. Bournemouth: Stewart, Purches, Maher, Gowling, Cummings, Songo'o (Cooke 63), Hollands (Ainsworth 87), Anderton, Foley (Best 46), Fletcher, Hayter. Subs Not Used: Moss, Hart. Booked: Cummings, Maher. Att: 6,076. Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Tranmere v Darlington
Tranmere duo Chris Greenacre (leg) and defender Ian Goodison (groin) are both doubtful for the visit of Darlington. Midfielder Paul McLaren (Achilles) is rested while John Thompson is cup-tied but goalkeeper John Achterberg is expected to get a run out. New Darlington manager Dave Penney insists the majority of his squad have an equal chance of selection. Defensive duo Evan Horwood (leg) and Craig James (ban) are out but otherwise Penney is promising a fresh start.

Tranmere 0-1 Darlington
A second-half penalty earned Darlington a surprise victory away at Tranmere in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Simon Johnson was fouled by Ian Goodison in the 66th minute and Gaetano Giallanza dispatched the spot kick. Gareth Taylor forced Sam Russell to save a header and saw another header cleared off the line by David Rosan as the hosts enjoyed the better chances. Chris Shuker went close too but Rovers' night ended disappointingly with Kevin Ellison and Steven Jennings injured. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Achterberg, Jennings (Goodison 30), McCready, Sherriff, Tremarco, Shuker, McAteer, Mullin, Ellison (Greenacre 11), Taylor, Davies (Harrison 86). Subs Not Used: Ward, Jones. Booked: Davies, Achterberg, Goodison, McAteer. Darlington: Russell, Rowson, Holloway, Collins, Duke, Johnson (McLeod 89), Keltie (Cummins 61), Ngoma, Carlos Logan, Conlon (Wainwright 61), Giallanza. Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Vaisanen. Booked: Conlon, Keltie, Johnson, Carlos Logan, McLeod. Goals: Giallanza 67 pen. Att: 2,036. Ref: R Lewis (Shropshire).

Tranmere 3-1 Millwall
Tranmere were made to work hard by Millwall before ensuring a win which moved them fourth in League One. Gareth Taylor headed in at the far post to put the home side ahead before Chris McCready forced the ball home from close range to add a second. Millwall never gave up and pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute when Chris Hackett neatly flicked the ball home over advancing keeper Gavin Ward. Tranmere fended off Millwall and Chris Shuker's late goal secured the points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Ward, Thompson, McCready, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren, Mullin, Davies (Tremarco 80), Taylor, Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Achterberg, McAteer, Harrison, Jones. Goals: Taylor 19, McCready 22, Shuker 89. Millwall: Pidgeley, Senda, Robinson, Shaw, Bakayogo (Whitbread 28), Hackett, Elliott, Grant, Zebroski, Hubertz (May 28), Williams (Morais 58). Subs Not Used: Day, McInnes. Booked: Whitbread. Goals: Hackett 41. Att: 7,114 Ref: A Taylor (Cheshire).

Tranmere 2-0 Blackpool
Goals from Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies gave Tranmere the win over Blackpool to keep them in touch with League One leaders Nottingham Forest. Tranmere were ahead inside the first minute after poor defending from Mike Jackson and Shaun Barker allowed Greenacre to convert a Davies cross. On 67 minutes Blackpool keeper Rhys Evans made a hash of a cross, enabling Chris Shuker to set up Davies. Late on Wes Hoolahan and Andy Morrell were denied by home keeper Gavin Ward. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Ward, Thompson, McCready, Goodison, Sherriff, Shuker, McLaren, Mullin, Davies (Zola 83), Taylor, Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Achterberg, Stockdale, Jones, Curran. Booked: McLaren, Davies, Goodison. Goals: Greenacre 2, Davies 67. Blackpool: Evans, Barker, Jackson, Evatt (Wilkinson 77), Dickinson, Forbes, Fox (Vernon 70), Southern, Hoolahan, Parker (Burgess 69), Morrell. Subs Not Used: Prendergast, Bean. Booked: Hoolahan. Att: 8,247. Ref: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Moore hails magnificent Tranmere
Ronnie Moore was delighted with Tranmere's resilience as they came from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 at Scunthorpe. \"It was a magnificent performance,\" said the Rovers manager. \"We were unlucky to go in one-nil down at half-time - but I told the players that if we carried on being positive then we would get back into the game. \"We got the goal, but unfortunately couldn't get a winner. We've got to go to Brentford with the same attitude and if we do, we're a match for anybody.\"

Tranmere dismiss feeder club talk
Tranmere have dismissed talk that they could become a feeder club to Liverpool as part of the takeover of the Reds by the Dubai International Capital group. The consortium, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, is continuing talks over a £450m takeover at Anfield. But, amid suggestions that Rovers had been earmarked as a nursery club, a statement read: \"It is essential that the club has its own identity. \"Furthermore, feeder clubs are not permitted under Football League rules.\" However, the club did admit it would welcome new investment, adding: \"We would welcome new investment from a credible interested party and therefore would always be prepared to enter into discussions. \"The club has received inquiries from time to time and will continue to welcome talks with interested parties.\"

Tranmere P-P Crewe
Tranmere's match against Crewe has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The match has been rearranged for next Tuesday, 19 December with a 7.45pm kick-off. :rant:

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