Tranmere 0, Bury 0

Attendance: 9,186

FRUSTRATION probably sums up this lacklustre Rovers display as they failed to breakdown a resolute and well organised Bury defence.

Even a large Boxing Day crowd failed to inspire Tranmere, who moved joint bottom of the Nationwide League Division One. The Prenton Park pitch, which Rovers player-manager John Aldridge has described as "the worst in this division", didn't help either side.

Rovers carried no threat in attack. Strikers Gary Jones and David Kelly were out of sorts and it was in defence that Tranmere impressed, with John McGreal looking more like his usual self after suffering a recent dip in form. Midfielder Micky Mellon probably had his best game to-date in a Tranmere shirt, but despite his prompting Rovers failed to test a poor Bury side. Evenso, Bury's direct style caused some problems. Tony Ellis curled an effort just wide of an upright and Lenny Johnrose was just off target.

For Tranmere, a 25-yard Kenny Irons drive, and a mis-kick by Kelly, was the closest they came to scoring. Rovers' fans, who became increasingly frustrated, voiced their anger at Mr Aldridge when he substituted Irons, arguably Tranmere's best player, for what the manager later explained were "tactical reasons".

The introduction of popular winger John Morrissey, surprisingly omitted from the starting line-up, provided Rovers with brighter moments, but it was too little too late to make any real impact.

Tranmere: Simonsen, Stevens, Thompson, McGreal, Thorn, Irons (sub Morrissey, 78 mins), Mellon, G. Jones, Kelly, O'Brien, L. Jones. Unused subs: Parkinson, Challinor.

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