IAN THOMAS-MOORE wants Tranmere to give Saturday’s opponents Southend United a taste of the same medicine they administered to Gillingham this week.

Rovers dragged the Gills into the League One relegation zone after winning 1-0 at the Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday night – thanks to Thomas-Moore’s 68th-minute strike.

Southend could suffer a similar fate if Tranmere can post another victory at Roots Hall this weekend.

“We’ve got to look at the game on Saturday and try and pick something up,” said front-man Thomas-Moore, who notched his eighth goal of the season at Gillingham.

“Obviously we can’t afford to lose the game and a point wouldn’t be the end of the world. But if we play like we did against Gillingham we’ll be okay.”

The skipper added: “We’ve sucked Gillingham back in there. A couple of weeks ago they weren’t even involved in the relegation mix.

“So with the win we’ve sucked a couple of teams back in and we go into Southend on Saturday with a bit of confidence.”

Tranmere moved to within a point of climbing out of the bottom four with their second away success of the campaign as a reshuffled line-up put the disappointment of last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Oldham behind them.

Thomas-Moore added: “We were devastated after the game on Saturday.

“We didn’t play very well at all and against Gillingham we had to put things right and I think we did do.”

Southend manager Steve Tilson accepts his side have joined Rovers in the fight against relegation.

The Shrimpers dropped to within two points of League One’s bottom four following a 2-0 defeat at Colchester United earlier in the week

Tilson said: “I think we need six more wins and a draw to stay up. We’re definitely in a relegation fight though and I think we have been for two or three weeks.

“It’s not been an easy season as we have a small squad and have been lacking continuity but the players have showed they have enough fight for the battle ahead.”

Southend survived winding up order in the High Court yesterday in a dispute with HM Revenue and Customs. A decision was adjourned for 28 days.

Meanwhile Tranmere have retained their place among a shrinking band of Football League clubs who continue to provide a family friendly experience on match days.

The Wirral club this week picked up the Football League Family Excellence Award for 2010.

Rovers are one of just 17 Football League clubs to have won the award in the three years since its launch in 2007. They are also one of only five clubs from the North West to receive the 2010 award.

The award is based on an independent assessment of the family experience offered by clubs using “mystery shopper” families who visited grounds across the country during the current season.

The judges were impressed with the “dedicated, safe, welcoming and entertaining” environment at Prenton Park and with the efforts clubs are making to ensure away travel is more attractive for families.

Chief executive Mick Horton said: “We are delighted to win the Family Excellence Award for the third year in a row.

“We recognise that we are competing against a wide range of attractions to bring families to matches so want to make our home games as enjoyable, friendly and welcoming as possible.

“The award recognises the excellent value for money we provide and the hard work we have put in during the season.”

Tranmere say they have a “long-term commitment to be the best value for money family club in the region,” part of which standard admission price of £5 for anyone aged 16 and under.