GOAL THAT EARNED REPLAY: Gareth Taylor (on floor) sees his 78th minute diving header earn Rovers a replay against Hereford. Steve Jennings was Rovers' other scorer.
THOUGHTS of the FA Cup - and a possible home tie against Cardiff City in the fourth round - have been pushed to the back of boss Ronnie Moore's mind as he focuses on getting Tranmere Rovers' Coca-Cola League One promotion push back on track.
Rovers' cup progress stumbled on Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Division Two promotion-chasers Hereford Town in a thrilling tie at Prenton Park. The prize for the winner is a fourth round home tie against Championship club Cardiff City on Saturday, January 26.
The replay takes place at Hereford next Wednesday (January 16, kick-off 7.45pm) - but before then Rovers have two crucial league dates.
The first was in London last night (Tuesday), when Moore's men clashed with fellow promotion hopefuls Leyton Orient, and the second is on Friday (January 11), when Tranmere entertain sixth-from-bottom Bristol Rovers, who came so close to knocking Premiership club Fulham out of the FA Cup at the weekend and came away with a creditable 2-2 draw.
Points in the bag are more important at the moment to Moore than FA Cup glory and he will be looking to his side to consolidate their claim for a top six place - and with it qualification for the end-of-season play-offs.
Rovers are currently ninth in the table, only three points off sixth spot, and Moore is only too aware that his team simply cannot afford to let that gap widen . . .
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The following Saturday (January 19), Rovers return to the capital to face struggling Millwall.
Said Moore: "It's a really hectic schedule and we could have done without the replay.
MOBBED: Steve Jennings is surrounded by delighted team-maters after scoring Tranmere's 75th minute equaliser. Hereford restored their lead a minute later.
"It's going to be a tough second half of the season, but we're not frightened of anyone in the league. We want a good start to the rest of the season, but need to improve on our home form."
Rovers' supporters are being offered free coach travel for the FA Cup third round replay at Hereford.
Prenton Park officials were overwhelmed by the success of the free coach offer for both the first and second round ties at Chesterfield and Bradford and want as many fans to be able to make the journey to Hereford.
"We had amazing support at Chesterfield and Bradford and it would be great to make it three in a row," said Moore.
"The fans make a massive difference to the players away from home and this season they have been brilliant."
Due to this match being all-ticket, Tranmere fans wishing to take advantage of the offer must purchase a match ticket at the same time as claiming their coach ticket.
Coach tickets must be obtained in advance from the Tranmere Rovers ticket office before 2pm next Tuesday (January 15).
Match ticket prices are as follow:-
Adults - £15 seating, £13 standing;
Over-65s - £6,;
Under-16s - £3.
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