TRANMERE Rovers have dusted themselves down after their exit from the FA Trophy earlier this week to focus on training for what promises to be a 'tough' Christmas fixture programme.

Their FA Trophy dreams were shattered on Monday evening after a hastily-rearranged first round replay saw Micky Mellon's side dumped out of the competition at the second attempt by Solihull Moors.

Micky Mellon’s attention is now on the much more important matter of trying to overcome high-flying Sutton United in National League on Saturday afternoon.

Victory down south would put the Whites in touching distance of the play-offs places and well positioned to launch an assault on promotion in the new year.

Saturday's match (3pm kick-off) is part of a busy programme of festive fixtures which continues against AFC Fylde at Prenton Park on Boxing Day (3pm); Guiseley, again at home, on December 30 (3pm) and AFC Fylde, again, in an away match on New Year’s Day (3pm).

During a press conference at Rovers Solar Campus training ground in Leasowe this afternoon, Mellon said: "We were very disappointed to be out of the FA Trophy.

"Our aim is to win every game, so we can’t be happy that we didn’t win on Monday.

"But you have to dust yourself down and get ready for the next challenge and we’re ready for what promises to be a massive weekend.

"It's always a special atmosphere at Christmas time and massive programme of games.

His thoughts were echoed by striker Connor Jennings, who said during the press conference: “It’s going to be a tough game. Hopefully we’ll pick up three points and climb up the table.

“If we pick up three points, it will be worth all the knocks we will get.

“It’s a busy period, but we have to remain positive and aim for the points.”