MANAGER Les Parry believes Tranmere forged a victory over Southampton at the weekend that may prove more valuable than the landmark they set against the same opponents nine years ago.

Rovers’ 4-3 success against the Saints in 2001 made the headlines and took John Aldridge’s team into the last eight of the FA Cup.

The value of the 2-1 win at Prenton Park on Saturday was to nudge Tranmere four points clear of the League One drop zone.

Parry said: “For me this was more important than the famous cup win because I think survival in any division is always more important than the cup matches.

“On a personal level it comes above 2001 because I am the manager now and I do get that little bit of pride from it.

“Every game we have left this season is going to be as massive as this one and if the lads apply themselves like they did, we should see ourselves climb into the middle of the table.”

The victory, secured by goals from Marlon Broomes on three minutes and an Ian Thomas-Moore penalty five minutes from time, wasn’t quite a giant-killing act – but it did confound the form book; Southampton were beaten for the first time in nine games.

Parry admitted: “I would have accepted a draw before the game because Southampton are in great form. They had scored five goals in each of their last two games and as their manager pointed out, everyone was expecting them to win, including himself.

“It was a ‘coupon-buster’. There will be a lot of people who lost money on this result and I love coupon busters!”

Parry had some sympathy for Southampton manager Alan Pardew’s strong criticism of referee Peter Quinn. The Cleveland official turned down two strong penalty appeals by the visitors and one for the home side as well as awarding the spot kick that delivered Tranmere’s late winner.

“To be fair to Southampton, I thought the referee got big decisions wrong for both teams,” Parry said.

“I think the push by Luke O’Neill on their lad was a penalty, but no more a penalty than the one we were not given for handball in the first half.”

Parry described the contribution of centre-back Broomes as “magnificent” adding: “You could not write the script any better after Marlon got himself sent off in the game down at St Mary’s in December.”

Rovers introduced Bas Savage into the game on 67 minutes, giving the tall striker his first taste of senior action since he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a match at Leeds United last April.

Parry said: “Bas was nervous. When he came on you could see what we have been missing, even if he was a bit rusty and did not pull up any trees.

“He did as much as we expected him to do and it was a massive step for Bas in his recovery.”

Rovers may have fitness doubts over Broomes (bruised big toe) and midfielder Paul McLaren (virus) ahead of tomorrow’s rearranged encounter with Leeds United at Prenton Park (7.45pm).