TRANMERE manager Les Parry spoke in his programme notes about nearly “keeling over” as Saturday’s win over Leyton Orient went right to the wire – but last night’s defeat will have simply left him pulling his hair out.
There was to be no happy ending at Prenton Park on this occasion as generous defending allowed Huddersfield Town striker Lee Novak to fire the ruthless visitors to a victory which cements their billing as play-off contenders, while plunging Tranmere closer to the dreaded drop zone.
Goals early in each half stunned Tranmere who, despite showing the spirit which has come to define the Parry era and carving out some chances, suffered a relapse of bad defensive habits which have blighted their season.
Parry’s men remain out of trouble in 19th position in League One after the loss to a smooth operating Terriers but many more displays of poor defending and Tranmere will soon be back where they do not want to be. Parry must hope all the hard work does not unravel at a pivotal time.
Both sides entered this League One encounter with unchanged line-ups from their respective weekend wins.
Huddersfield’s 2-0 win over Hartlepool kept their promotion hopes alive and stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches, whilst many will have considered Rovers’ victory over Leyton Orient of more significance.
Goals on the day from Ian Thomas-Moore and Marvin Sordell took the Wirral side out of the relegation zone for the first time in six months so manager Parry put his faith in the same 11 players for the game against Lee Clark’s men.
A light snow shower greeted the players as the game got under way with the home side making the better use of the orange ball early on.
Thomas-Moore had a goal-bound shot blocked bravely as Sordell caused the Huddersfield defence problems with his pace and tenacity.
However, Rovers’ decent start was brought to an abrupt end and was in many ways a self-inflicted wound.
Defender Ian Goodison hesitated deep in his own half which allowed Anthony Pilkington to steal the ball and feed Jordan Rhodes inside the area an d his powerful shot was finely saved by Luke Daniels.
