TRANMERE manager Les Parry put a brave face on his side’s injury-time capitulation at Notts County last night – insisting referee Michael Naylor stole the limelight in this end-to-end thriller.

Rovers were well worth a point at Meadow Lane and when substitute Joss Labadie struck home an 80th minute free-kick, Parry’s side appeared to be leaving Nottingham with a share of the spoils.

But David Raven was given his marching orders by Naylor in the 94th minute for a second booking and Adam McGurk followed him down the tunnel two minutes later for clearing Alan Sheehan’s shot off the line with his hand.

Parry contended that decision however and revealed his players were adamant the ball had struck McGurk’s knee before Jeff Hughes converted from the spot and ended Rovers’ winning start to the season. But Parry was quick to look for the positives, suggesting his side matched promotion-chasing County for 90 minutes.

“This performance shows we’ve come a long way, I’m sure we should have got something out of this game,” said Parry, who saw his side take the lead on ten minutes through John Welsh.

“I thought we did well, should have had a few decisions gone our way and on another day it could have been different.

“I am delighted to see that the lads are gutted in the dressing room because it shows we have got so close to getting a point against an intimidating team in an intimidating atmosphere.”