TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore wants his defenders to learn lessons from the 1-0 home defeat to promotion-chasing rivals Doncaster.
Moore described the second-minute goal by James Coppinger that ended Rovers eight-game unbeaten run as a “self-inflicted wound.”
Coppinger powered home a 25-yard shot after Tranmere centre-back Antony Kay dallied over a clearance near the edge of his own box.
Moore said: “It is important our back four learn not to take the chances they do at times. They got sloppy in areas.
“It happened not only with the goal but later in the game as well. The wound was self inflicted. We had two opportunities to clear the ball. Give Coppinger a bit of credit though, because he struck the shot beautifully.
“We have to make the right decisions in the right areas and unfortunately when we didn’t, we were punished.
“It was a tight, scrappy game and it was always going to be a mistake or a bit of brilliance that won it. It turned out to be a bit of both.”
Moore said he was happy with the effort put in by his players but admitted the performance lacked a cutting edge.
He said: “Going a goal down after two minutes gave us plenty of time to come back. We huffed and puffed without causing Doncaster too many problems. As the home side we really needed to be putting their goalkeeper under a bit of pressure.
“We got into some decent areas and did not really profit from it. The quality of the ball into the box wasn’t the best. It wasn’t up to the standard we want.
“John Mullin had a chance in the first half when he needed to test the keeper and put it wide. When you are playing teams like Doncaster, chances don’t come that often. When they do you have to be clinical.”
Tranmere held onto a place in the play-off zone in spite of the setback, although they slipped seven points adrift of Doncaster, who reclaimed the second automatic spot.
Moore said: “It was an important game, which we did not want to lose. But it’s not the end of the world, we are still right in there.”
Tranmere were forced to make a change in midfield with Mullin starting his first game since December in place of Steve Jennings, who began a three-match suspension.
Rovers also adjusted their formation during the first half to counter Doncaster’s 4-3-3 system.
Moore said: “Mullin looked bright and just tired little towards the end. He does a different type of job for us and is more attack-minded than Jennings. We might miss Jennings more away from home because he is the one who sits deeper and gets stuck in to the opposition.”
Tranmere must now prepare for two testing away games, at Oldham next Saturday and at runaway leaders Swansea City the following Tuesday.
Moore said: “They are difficult games but they all are at this stage of the season. I still think we are capable of putting another run of wins together.”
