MARK Ellis conceded that Tottenham were simply too good for Tranmere after they were pummelled 7-0 by the Londoners in the FA CUP third round at Prenton Park.

Rovers managed to keep the deficit down to just one goal by half-time, but after the break Spurs went goal crazy.

And speaking after the match, central defender Ellis acknowledge the gulf in class.

He said: "I think we competed with them in the first half and we needed to do the same in the second, but I think it's difficult when they've got the quality that they had. It was tough on us.

"They're at that level for a reason. They had us moving about.

"They didn't really penetrate (in the first half), but in the second half they pushed players further forward and caused us problems and they've done what they've done.

"When you're up against that kind of quality, it's tough sometimes.

"You're trying to get the ball forward as quick as you can, but it's hard to take, especially when you've conceded seven.

"We managed to get a for corners and get them on the back foot.

"We've had some half-chances. We stuck in and kept going, but it was just frustrating what happened in the second half."

Rovers are back in League Two action away to Cheltenham Town this weekend and Ellis was keen to move focus back onto the promotion charge.

He said: "It's hard to take but we'll dust ourselves down and push for the playoffs in the next few games.

"We've got the firepower and we've got some quality players, as long as we keep working hard and grinding out results, we'll be up there."

It wasn’t all bad news for Ellis on Friday night however.

After the match he swapped shirts with England striker Harry Kane, quipping: "It was the nearest that I got to him all night!"