RONNIE Moore insisted errant finishing was the decisive factor as Tranmere’s away-day troubles continued with a 1-0 defeat at the New Den.

The Rovers manager was satisfied the tactics he introduced to stifle Millwall worked effectively but was disappointed by his team’s failure to capitalise on a number of goalscoring opportunities at the other end.

“It is frustrating when you look at the chances we had,” Moore said after Tranmere recorded a sixth away defeat of the League One campaign.

He added: “It is wrong to say our away form is bad because we are playing well enough.

“The problem is we are creating opportunities and not taking them. It is costing us.

“You have to take your chances at a place like Millwall because they are a good side. We’ve got to be more clinical.”

The new tactics involved playing Chris Shuker just behind central striker Bas Savage in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Moore said: “We had a full week working on the system in training.

“Shukes has played that role for Manchester City and Barnsley. He’s quick and can turn people.

“We thought the system would help to stifle Millwall because they like to get their full-backs out and our wingers were stopping that.

“The whole thing worked well and we limited Millwall to very few chances.

“We defended so well that Millwall had to change things at half-time. But we did not put the ball in the back of their net.”

Moore added: “Chris Shuker probably had the best chances. But overall some of the decisions we made around their penalty area were not good enough.

“We don’t have £1million to go out and buy a clinical finisher, so we will have to work with what we have got.”

Moore admitted one of his markers had “slept” in allowing Laird the space to head home Millwall’s winner from a David Martin Cross in the 73rd minute.

He was critical of referee Roger East, who booked seven players in a game which became irritable.

Moore said: “Millwall have a good crowd who are hostile to the away side. That’s why you need a strong referee here. Millwall were fourth in the table and we were eighth. It was a massive game and they send someone like that to referee it.”

Rovers were able to welcome back Ryan Shotton on Saturday. The 20-year-old full-back began a second extended loan spell from Stoke City that will run until the end of the season.

Moore said: “It’s been hard work to get Ryan back. Stoke were not going to let him out until he signed the new contract. There was a lot of interest from other clubs but he had been here before and it was nice of the chairman to allow us to bring him in again.”