ROVERS found themselves just once place above the relegation zone after a 3-1 defeat at Stevenage on Saturday.

Assistant manager John McMahon said he was disappointed at his side's display.

And he urged his players to "fight for their future" to ensure Tranmere remain playing League One football next season.

He said: "Too many of us didn't turn up. It was a poor team performance and there were poor individual performances.

"We need to analyse it and look at where we can improve as individuals and as a team.

"We knew they'd be direct and strong but we just couldn't cope with their physicality and how they went about their work.#

"The three goals were disappointing defensively. We need to deal with those situations a lot better. We were panicked and rushed and we need to be better than that.

"They're good at what they do. They play to their strengths, they're a massive side, they're strong and direct and they're going to intimidate teams.

"We couldn't handle the physicality, that's the top and bottom of it."

McMahon continued: "You can't legislate for some of our defending at times.

"Every game is a fight. They've got to fight for their lives, got to fight for their living and fight for their futures, for them, for the club and spectators. “We've got to show a lot more resilience than we did today.

"We'll look at the DVD and have a team meeting as we always do and the preparation starts right now for Brentford.

"Although it doesn't look at times that they're willing and caring believe me they are, and we all are.

"We will keep fighting and rest assured we will keep working hard and trying to do the right things and we will never give up."

On Tuesday night, Rovers face a crucial away game at Brentford.

Midfielder Steve Jennings admitted they needed to put in a much-improved performance than the Stevenage showing.

He said: "I don't think we can take any credit. We didn't turn up. I think I must have had five touches in the first half, it was like a game of tennis for me.

"We just have to draw a line under this and go again because that's not the team that has been playing the last three, four, five games.

"We need a lot of character now to get ourselves back on the horse. We've got to go Tuesday, come firing out of the traps and have everyone as lively as they can be.

"We've let ourselves down and we've only got ourselves to blame.”

This Saturday, Rovers entertain Notts County at Prenton Park. Kick-off is at 3pm.