Ten-man Tranmere end losing streak to move out of League Two drop zone

TRANMERE ROVERS.........2

(Att: 4,202)

TRANMERE moved out of the League Two drop zone as they ended a five-game losing streak at Cambridge, despite being reduced to ten men.

Max Power gave Rovers the lead in first-half stoppage time as he fired in from the edge of the box.

Max Power in action for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night 

Cambridge drew level on 63 minutes with substitute Sullay Kaikai cutting inside a challenge outside the area and firing a low shot into the bottom left corner.

But Rovers were back ahead six minutes later. Janoi Donacien's long ball was flicked on by Kayode Odejayi and Myrie-Williams held off a defender and fired a cross through the area to Danny Gardner, who placed a low shot past the 'keeper from eight yards.

Danny Gardner on the ball for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night

Tranmere were reduced to ten men on 80 minutes when skipper Steve Jennings was shown his second yellow card of the evening, and the manager responded by bringing on the fresh legs of Rory Donnelly in place of Gardner.

The home side battled to level the scores, even sending their 'keeper Chris Dunn up for a late corner, but a free kick was given against Cambridge striker Robbie Simpson as Rovers held on for a vital victory.

Jennison Myrie-Williams on the ball for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night

The win, which was just Rovers' third away from home all season, moves them above second-from-bottom Cheltenham on goal difference while Cambridge drop to 18th place.

Micky Adams made one change to the team that started at Northampton as Marc Laird came in for the injured Rob Taylor. With Danny Holmes missing out through injury, youth scholar Ben Jago was included on the substitutes' bench.

Tranmere Rovers celebrate taking lead in first half of Tuesday's game

Adams said: "We're deserved winners. I thought we started nervously but gradually came into the game and showed real spirit and commitment. That's what we're going to need.

"They're a big side and if you get drawn into the way they want to play there's only ever going to be one winner and that's them.

"So we needed to see if we could utilise our spare midfield man and it's worked. I'm really chuffed with the way we defended at times, we really put our bodies on the line.

"I want to thank the supporters who came down tonight, I thought they were excellent.

"It must be soul-destroying for them as well. Five defeats on the spin and not knowing where the next win is coming from, but they came down and supported the boys and that win is dedicated to them.

"The two wide players did well tonight, particularly when we got them in the final third. They put a shift in as well.

"We stood resolute. They were throwing seven, eight, nine bodies in our box at one stage. We needed our goalie to play well and we needed to keep as high a line as possible.

"We might have rode our luck on one or two occasions but they showed the spirit and determination we're going to need if we're going to get out of this situation."

Michael Ihiekwe in action for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night

Rovers will face a tough challenge on Saturday when they host table-toppers Burton Albion at Prenton Park.

The Brewers have lost only twice in the league since November 29 last year and put two past Tranmere for no reply when the sides met at the Pirelli Stadium on Boxing Day.