LES Parry admits Tranmere Rovers' poor run of results is preventing him from applying for the vacant manager’s post.

The search for John Barnes’ replacement continues and although interested in taking on the manager’s job full-time, Parry admits the lack of results is standing in the way of him asking club chairman Peter Johnson to consider him for the role.

Tranmere have so far lost 12, won three and drawn one of their 16 league games.

They were beaten 2-0 by Norwich City on Saturday and remain in 23rd place on the League One table with 10 points.

They take a break from League action on Tuesday night for the FA Cup first round replay against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road. They return to the club this Saturday for a League One game.

Parry, who was appointed caretaker manager after John Barnes was sacked in July, told Globe Sport: "At the end of the day, it's all about results.

"I couldn't go and knock on the chairman’s door tomorrow and say "I think we’ve done an exemplary job, we deserve it and you shouldn't be looking for anybody else".

"It's a results-driven industry and our results aren't good. Okay, we can take some solace from the fact that the performances have been much improved since we took over and our sharpness has been much improved.

"I'm learning new things every week and am encouraged by the fact that we are playing consistently in each game.

"Historically, other clubs have shown that it's difficult to maintain momentum when there’s caretaker staff. I don't think the fans appreciate how difficult it is being a caretaker, with the shackles you have.

"You’re doing the job with one hand tied behind your back, because you can’t make long-term decisions, like getting rid of players and bringing new ones in, because there's always a chance that a new manager will come in. It's a difficult job.

"But at the end of the day we’ve won game and drawn one, and so if the chairman was to call me in tomorrow and say there’s a manager coming in today, I couldn't complain."

Goals from Wes Hoolahan and Gary Doherty earned victory for Norwich City at Carrow Road in front of 20,025 spectators.

Reflecting on the result, Les Parry said: "It was disappointing, because we deserved something from the game, particularly after the performance we put in.

"The fact that it was Norwich, one of the bigger sides, means nothing. When you play the way we did, had the chances we had and come away with nothing, it's disappointing.

"The performance slightly outweighs the defeat. We can take a lot of positives from the peformance.

"Norwich are an excellent side and you won't meet many sides this season who are as good as they are.

"Their manager was very complementary about our side and the way we played.

"It's good because the supporters who weren't at the game can read the reports and see that it's not just the home press who are saying we did well. The fact that the manager of the team who won the game said that is brilliant. We need to start winning games."

Hoping for a win from tomorrow night's FA Cup replay, Parry said: “Winning breeds confidence which breeds wins.

"So if we won on Tuesday it would give us the confidence to go back to Brisbane Road on Saturday and fight for those three points."