TRANMERE'S caretaker boss Nigel Adkins said his Tranmere Rovers side remain "fighting" despite going down to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions after a 1-0 defeat at Morecambe. 

The game was decided by a huge slice of misfortune for Jordan Turnbull, who was unlucky to divert a superb Chris Stokes cross past his own keeper Luke McGee.

Tranmere had plenty of possession but it was Morecambe who created the better chances, with McGee twice saving well from JJ McKiernan in the first half after good work from Tom Bloxham.

The visiting keeper had to be at his best after the break with a superb save from Bloxham’s close-range effort with his feet and another excellent block from Michael Mellon.

The Shrimps finally broke through with Turnbull’s own goal before Connor Jennings wasted two great late chances for the visitors.

First he fired over from 18 yards before missing the target from close range after Adam Smith had saved well from substitute Rob Apter.

“Unfortunately we never get the result we were after," said Adkins. "Our fortune will change because we are going to work hard to make sure our fortune changes.

“Tonight it was a deflected goal that skims off one of our players, we’ve defended well at times and we’ve tried to create chances which we have done and on another day we probably score three, four goals.”

“It hasn’t happened but we’ve seen heart, commitment and a group of players, staff and supporters trying to do everything they can for Tranmere Rovers Football Club, we’re fighting and that’s the important thing.”

Adkins also called for unity between the fans and the players as Rovers look to recover from their latest slump that sees them only outside the League Two drop zone on goal difference. 

"You could see the togetherness with the fans and the players at the end of the game and the way they've applauded each other," he said.

"Where we are in the division at the moment means it's a challenging time and we need support. Tonight the supporters could see the commitment and the endeavour of every single player and of every member of staff who are all having a go for the cause and the cause is Tranmere Rovers Football Club. 

"We are in the mire at the moment but we are fighting. We are a team and at the moment we are up against it but everybody is saying 'let's roll our sleeves up and let's have a go for each other, lets have a go for the team and importantly let's have a go for the club and the supporters and everything that represents'.

"We've got heart, we've got soul, we've got fight and we've got ability but ultimately it's about keeping it out at one end and sticking it in the other.

"I am passionate about my football and I'm passionate about the football club I represent - it's my hometown club and I want us to do well but we're in choppy waters at the moment and sometimes you need a cool head and someone who has been here before to keep us on the straight and narrow rather than jump in the dinghy that's hanging on the side. What you do is grab an oar, stay on board and steer our way through the storm that we're in and we will do because we've got a structure and an organisation, a belief and people who have been there and done it."