Tranmere Rovers.............0

Luton Town.......................1

By Richard Garnett

TRANMERE remain in the League Two relegation zone after a goal from Cameron McGeehan gave Luton Town a fortuitous victory at Prenton Park.

With only 11 minutes remaining Peter Brezovan brought down Mark Cullen in the box for a penalty.

Cullen took the spot-kick himself, which Brezovan saved, but Cameron McGeehan stuck in the rebound.

It was ruthless punishment for Rovers who had largely dominated against a Luton side who had lost their last seven matches.

Jennison Myrie-Williams squandered a chance to give Rovers the lead as early as the third minute, when his shot was saved by the feet of Eliott Justham, following a through ball from Steve Jennings.

Tranmere’s Rob Taylor crossed from the bye-line on 25 minutes but Myrie-Williams made a mess of his attempted volley.

The winger was seeing plenty of the ball and blasted a 25-yard shot wide of Justham’s goal in the 34th minute.

Moments later Ryan Hall was inches away from converting a low cross from Jonathan Smith as The Hatters responded.

Shortly into the second half Max Power required lengthy treatment on the pitch before he was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Marc Laird for Rovers.

It is understood Power was taken to hospital for checks.

Everton loanee George Green hit a left footed 20-yard free kick straight at Justham on 55 minutes before Myrie-Williams repeated the trick five minutes later.

Tranmere were putting Luton under sustained pressure and introduced Iain Hume and Rory Donnelly as the Whites went in search of a vital win.

There could be no questioning referee Dean Whitestone’s decision as he pointed to the spot however after Brezovan clattered into Cullen.

Rovers responded and Justham had to be at his best to deny Laird with a bullet header before Hume narrowly headed over from the ensuing corner.

Tranmere pushed for an equaliser in injury time but it was not to be, leaving the players visibly forlorn.

Manager Micky Adams was bitterly disappointed: “You don’t always get out the game what you put into it and I thought we put a lot of effort into that game today.

“I can’t remember their chances to be honest. My keeper’s not had any saves to make. He touched one round the post first half, but a routine save.

"I'm bitterly disappointed not to get anything out of it.  Poor goal.

“But the stats will say that we’ve lost another game one nil which is disappointing but what we’ve got to do now is keep going. That’s the message. We will keep going, keep fighting to the end.

“There’s not an 'R' by the side of our name this evening so it’s all to play for and I’ve said it all along, it will go down to the wire and I’m even more convinced after that but I’m heartened by the performance, I have to say.

“I thought there was a lot of effort there today and a lot of commitment. I think the fans stuck with us. We’re going to need them and more in the last five games.”

Hartlepool also lost at home and ended the day as they began - a single point and one place ahead of Rovers.

Next Saturday, with five games remaining until the end of the season, Rovers travel to face fifth-place Southend Utd.

MATCH FACTS:

Referee: Dean Whitestone 6/10

Attendance: 6, 035

Match rating 2/5

Star man: Steve Jennings, Tranmere Central Midfield

Tranmere: (4-4-1-1): Brezovan 6, Ihiekwe 6, Dugdale 6, Donacien 6, Ridehalgh 6, Myrie-Williams 5 (Donnelly 75, 5), Jennings 7, Power 5 (Laird 50, 6) Taylor 5 (Hume 61, 7) Green 6, Odejayi 6.

Subs not used: Fon Williams, Holmes, Stockton, Molynuex.

Bookings: None.

Luton: (4-4-1-1): Justham 7, Harriman 6, McNulty 7, Wilkinson 6, Griffiths 6, Cullen 5, Doyle 5, Smith 6 (Howells 90, N/A), Hall 5 (Lawless 74, 5), McGeehan 7, Benson 5 (Stockley 83, 5).

Subs not used: Lacey, Gutteridge, Robinson, King.

Bookings: McNulty 58, McGeehan 87.