TRANMERE aim to add to the discomfort of the Swindon Town management team of Danny Wilson and Peter Shirtliff at the County Ground tonight.

Only after the final whistle sounds on a scrap between two teams hanging just above the League One relegation places will Rovers manager Les Parry be ready to offer support and encouragement to a couple of long-time football friends.

Parry said: “I know Peter Shirtliff well from his time working here at Tranmere and I know Danny well to. They will be doing everything they can to drag Swindon around. I hope they do turn it around – after we’ve played them.”

Tranmere’s position is not unexpected considering they operate with one of the smallest player budgets in the division. But Swindon’s resources are considerably greater and they were widely tipped to challenge for promotion this season.

The Wiltshire side slipped behind Tranmere in the table and to within one place of the relegation zone after suffering a third defeat in a row at the hands of Bristol Rovers last Saturday.

Now the experienced Wilson and number two Shirtliff, who spent two years at Prenton Park as assistant to Ronnie Moore between 2007 and 2009, are battling against the threat of relegation and fighting for their jobs.

Parry said: “I’m as surprised as anyone by Swindon’s position. At the beginning of the season they would have been most people’s tips to be pushing for the play-offs. But they have the players to turn the situation around.”

Wilson is threatening to bring in new players to shore up a leaky Swindon defence but his options for change against Tranmere are limited.