STEVE HALLMARK reports from Prenton Park

TRANMERE Rovers go into this Saturday's away game at Crystal Palace with one eye on next month's Worthington Cup clash with Barnsley - a tie which could open the door to a fifth round meeting with either Arsenal or Middlesbrough.

John Aldridge's team were hoping to make it four points from two home games when they entertained Nationwide League Division One club Grimsby at Prenton Park last night (Tuesday).

The manager, speaking at a press conference on Monday, made it clear he regarded these points as the foundation which he hopes his team will build on at Selhurst Park.

Said Mr Aldridge: "It was a good point against City, but if the game had gone on for another five minutes we would have won it. They were all over the place and we were really getting at them."

The 13,000-plus crowd was the biggest of the season so far at Prenton Park, but was swelled by more than 6,000 of City's travelling army of fans, who treated the 45 minute journey from Manchester as a home game.

City boss Joe Royle described it as a "1-1 battering" and said that the promotion-chasing Blues had deserved to win.

Mr Aldridge said: "I was a bit hurt by Joe's comments as I think a draw was a fair reflection of the way the game went.

"We have caused ourselves problems this season. We have to go out with the same attitude whether the game is against Coventry, Man City or Grimsby. We are now playing better consistently."

Going in to last night's match, Rovers were facing injury worries with loan star Tony Grant struggling with a tweaked hamstring, Georges Santos rated doubtful and Gareth Roberts needing attention to his back and Dave Kelly to his knee.

On the plus side, negotiations with Roberts were advancing on a permanent move to the Wirral club. Tranmere Chief Executive Lorraine Rogers is in talks with Roberts' agent and she has offered the player a contract.

Rovers make the long journey to London to play fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Said Mr Aldridge: "Palace have been battling under administration and Steve Coppell has done a good job with them. It undermines you when you have to sell players and Palace have had to sell a nucleus of players.

"We need to be better away from home. Defensively, our concentration has let us down so many times, but we will get results if we just roll up our sleeves when we get a lead."

TRANMERE Rovers' reward for their Worthington Cup victory over Oxford United is a home tie against fellow Nationwide League Division One club Barnsley at Prenton Park on Tuesday, November 30 (kick-off 7.45pm). But there is a mouthwatering incentive for the winners - they will meet the winners of the Arsenal-Middlesbrough clash.

Rovers are offering reduced admission of £10 for adults, £6 for senior citizens/students and £3 for juniors. Reserved season ticket holders on production of Voucher 'B' may purchase their own seats from the Ticket Office prior to the big game.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.