Disallowed goal after disputed off-side decision spoils Tranmere's start to 2016

Macclesfield Town.......1 

A disallowed injury time strike from Steve Jennings ensured Tranmere kicked off 2016 with defeat after Jack Sampson’s first half goal proved enough for Macclesfield at Prenton Park.

The result moved the Silkmen into the play-off positions, putting a six-point cushion between themselves and Rovers in the process.

Gary Brabin made one change to his starting 11, handing a debut to Jeff Hughes who signed on loan from Cambridge United in the morning. Ben Tomlinson had to be content with a place on the bench.

Adam Mekki in action for Tranmere Rovers against Macclesfield

These two sides met in the reverse fixture at Moss Rose only seven days ago, with Tranmere running out 2-1 winners on the day.

With retribution in mind, the visitors tested the palms of Scott Davies after five minutes with a fierce low drive from Paul Lewis.

Adam Mekki responded for Rovers, forcing a near post save out of Shwan Jalal.

The Silkmen’s keeper was injured in the process and lasted only a few more minutes before being replaced by Richie Branagan.

The substitute stopper was given an early test in the shape of a Mekki curler, which he nervously gathered at the second attempt. It was to be his only blip in the contest.

Rovers' new signing Jeff Hughes in action against Macclesfield

Some neat interchange from Macclesfield presented Kristina Dennis with a chance on the edge of the box, which was blocked by Steve McNulty.

An injury to Paul Lewis gave John Askey no choice but to make a second enforced first half change, bringing on Danny Whitaker for the crocked midfielder.

Macclesfield took the lead just past the half hour mark when the ball reached Chris Holroyd on the edge of the six yard box, who rolled it back across goal for Sampson to smash home from close range.

Tranmere almost equalised immediately when a Mekki corner was nodded down for Lois Maynard who blazed over from 10 yards out.

Danny Rowe unleashed a 30-yard pile driver on 39 minutes that whistled past Davies’ right hand post before Paul Turnbull picked up a caution for a late challenge on Mekki.

James Norwood on the ball for Tranmere Rovers against Macclesfield

With little to choose between the sides in the first half Rovers took the fight to their opponents after the break.

A cross-field pass was controlled instantly by Mekki, who sent a dangerous low ball across the box that somehow escaped untouched.

A header from debutant Hughes was then superbly tipped over by Branagan before the same player nodded a Matt Hill cross inches wide as Tranmere started to knock on the door.

Undeterred, Rovers continued to grow and on the hour mark delightful interplay from Maynard and Mekki released Norwood who was only foiled by the onrushing Branagan.

Action from Tranmere Rovers against Macclesfield

Macclesfield were now limited to occasional breakaways and with the home side’s confidence up, a flick from Maynard forced the referee to wave away appeals for handball.

David Fitzpatrick offered a warning to Tranmere when he fizzed one across Davies’ six-yard box.

As Rovers kept plugging away for an equaliser a strong header from Maynard was comfortably held by the Branagan.

Despite racking up a seemingly never-ending succession of corners, the Super Whites could not penetrate a stubborn Macclesfield defence.

With time running out Lee Vaughan found substitute Cole Stockton at the near post but his header was diverted away by the imperious Branagan.

In injury time Jennings smashed the ball into the net for Tranmere but to the horror of the home congregation behind the goal it was ruled out for a suspect offside call.

The result was hard luck on Rovers who performed gamely in the second half but payback for the visitors who will no doubt toast the contribution of their substitute goalkeeper.

Boss Brabin said: “We didn’t deserve to get beat. I’m disappointed with the goal. They’ve had two shots on target and one was from 30 yards out.

“We’ve dominated possession, created a lot of good chances, scored what looks a perfectly good goal but unfortunately we’ve not got anything from it.

“He (the referee) told us at first it was for interfering with the goalkeeper and once they’ve discussed it they’ve told us it was for offside. We don’t see either.

“We were hoping to build on our previous results but it wasn’t to be. We don’t want to be too despondent with the performance.”

Match Stats:

Tranmere Rovers: 0

Macclesfield Town: 1 Sampson 32

Half time: 0-1

Star man: Richie Branagan (Goalkeeper, Macclesfield Town)

Attendance: 4,923

Entertainment: 2/5

Ref rating: Michael Salisbury (7/10)

Tranmere (4-5-1): Davies player rating 6; Vaughan 6, McNulty 7, Ihiekwe 7, Hill 6; Mekki 7 (Stockton 82, 6), Jennings 7, Maynard 7, Harris 6, Hughes 6 (Tomlinson 71, 6); Norwood 6.

Subs not used: Turner, Sutton, Kirby

Macclesfield (4-5-1): Jalal player rating 5 (Branagan 12, 9); Halls 6, Byrne 7, Pilkington 8, Fitzpatrick 7, Holroyd 6, Lewis 5 (Whitaker 22, 6), Turnbull 7, Rowe 6 (Diagne 82, 5), Sampson 8, Dennis 6.

Subs not used: Cowan, Whitehead.