TRANMERE Rovers' boss Micky Adams says he was frustrated to see his side lose 2-0 at Burton Albion on Boxing Day but felt an early decision proved pivotal.

The sending off of Liam Ridehalgh and awarding of a penalty midway through the first half saw the home side take a lead they never lost.

Rovers' League Two campaign continues tomorrow afternoon, with a game against Northampton at Prenton Park.

Reflecting on their defeat at Burton Albion, Adams said: "We'll never know how good or bad we could have been today, we never got a chance. I had no problems with the penalty, but the sending off is ridiculous.

"So I'm disappointed with that decision and the game changes on that. Yes, we'd have been a goal down and chasing it, but we'd have had a chance. There were some strange decisions out there today.

"As I've said to the players, this is not a game defining moment in the season because not many people would expect us to come to Burton and win. Our big one is against Northampton on Sunday.

"Our shape in the second half was good, the effort and enthusiasm was there again and to not concede in the second half was pleasing.

"I was disappointed that when we put the big man [Kayode Odejayi] on, instead of loading the box from free kicks and wide areas, we decided to play it short like we would if we still had 11 men on the pitch.

"I needed to protect Josh Thompson today, particularly after the sending off. What I don't want to do is give him too much football too soon.

"He's done fantastically well to get back in the timescale he has, but once the second goal went in my mind was made up he was coming off.

"We've got over half the season left to play, there's a lot to play for and I've been pleased so far with what we've done. Sunday becomes a really big game for us."