MICKY Mellon praised the character of his players after they saw off Ebbsfleet United in extra time to reach the National League play-off final.

But the 46-year-old Scot was in no mood to celebrate, insisting his Tranmere side had achieved nothing yet.

Speaking to the press after Saturday's epic 4-2 victory, Rovers' boss Mellon recognised the dramatic match for what it was and was just relieved to have booked a trip to Wembley.

He said: "The playoff games are like cup ties and there's an awful lot at stake, so you know that it's going to be very tight and tense at some stage.

"It was a terrific game for everyone that came.

"Two teams contesting very well and we're just pleased that we came out in the end with some terrific goals.

"The boys showed their character, grit and determination where weaker people would have gone under.

"We tried to play football and believed and we got the rewards in the end.

"You're treading a tightrope but I just felt that we had a wee bit more.

"Looking at us you could tell that we had a bit about us that if someone was going to open it up with a bit of quality then it was going to be us.

"I was delighted to see that happen in the end.

"We're pleased. It was great.

"There was tension and passion.

"It was everything football should be all about and every credit to both clubs for that."

In the second period of extra time, the visitors had their captain Dave Winfield dismissed amid a scuffle that involved every player on the pitch and most of the coaching staff, but Mellon took a more measured view of his own involvement.

He said: "I'm not trying to cook this, but I wasn't even looking at it and then I turned around and thought what's going on?

"There were a lot of big units in there, so I sort of had to time my run and not get in there too early!

"The Glaswegian in me was a wee bit streetwise and thought about when he was going to get involved in that, but listen, it was just passion and honesty and now it’s all settled down we’ll understand it."

Having fallen at the final hurdle in miserable fashion last season, Mellon is not getting carried away and was keen to put on record that the job is far from done.

He added: "We'll just prepare for it like a normal game.

"We know the magnitude of the game, but we just feel a lot calmer this year.

"It's great to get to the big house isn't it and go and contest the play-off final, but we know we've still got to go down there and do a job.

"We're very calm and we'll get ready to go.

"We've still got to go down there and do the business and, as you've seen today, they'll be no quarter given whoever you get in the final.

"We're in for a tough game."

One player who looks to have played his way into the Wembley starting line-up is Josh Ginnelly.

The winger, who is on-loan from Burnley, might not have even played against Ebbsfleet, had Connor Jennings not fallen ill, but he produced a virtuoso performance capped with a crucial goal and must surely now be a shoo-in for the final.

Mellon said: "The strike for the goal is terrific and it comes at a key time for us.

"To get the momentum back with us again and to hit a shot like that was brilliant.

"But I thought he was terrific all game.

"He enjoyed it and showed the player that he is capable of being so we're really pleased for him.

"There's nothing done yet so we're not really celebrating anything at all.

"We've given ourselves the opportunity to do what we set out to do at the start of the season and get promotion."

Asked whether following Tranmere Rovers should come with a health warning, Mellon quipped: "Without a shadow of a doubt, I'm managing them.

"I’m glad I'm as experienced as I am because at times it was getting a bit hairy and you've just got to try and keep your composure."