SOUTHEND UTD...............1

TRANMERE ROVERS.........0

A FIRST half strike by Barry Corr earned play-off hopefuls Southend Utd victory over Tranmere.

Rovers boss Micky Adams was disappointed they were unable to pick up any points and was left wondering how his side failed to hit the net.

Corr scored the only goal of the game just before half-time as he fired home Will Atkinson's corner.

Tranmere pushed for an equaliser late on but the Shrimpers defence remained firm to secure the win, leaving Tranmere in the relegation zone in 23rd position.

Adams made five changes to the starting 11 which played against Luton last Monday. In came keeper Owain Fon Williams, Danny Holmes, Marc Laird, Cole Stockton and Josh Thompson. George Green, Adam Dugdale and Iain Hume all missed out through illness.

The manager said: "For long periods of the game, we dominated.

"We took the game to them, particularly in the second half.

"But I'm left scratching my head once again about how we've not scored or got something out of the game because we deserved it on the effort and commitment we put in.

"The difference between the teams at the top and bottom of the league is at both ends of the park.

"We created chances but we've got to put them away, it's as simple as that. When we don't, we put ourselves under pressure.

"We know the importance of each and every game and we want to win every game if we can.

"The lads know what they need to do. I saw a lot of determination out there today and we're going to need all that."

Tranmere travel to Mansfield on Tuesday evening and - with only four fixtures left to salvage hopes of keeping Rovers in the Football League - Adams said the game has huge importance.

"We have a very big game at Mansfield Town. If we beat them, we'll drag them into it as well so that's how important it is."