Rovers Unlucky to Lose to MK Dons

Tranmere were robbed of a deserved point away at Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday afternoon after an at times dull game which saw niether side produce any consistent attacking threat until the home sneaked a goal from a corner from substitute Kevin Gallen.

 MK Dons 1 - 0 Tranmere

          Gallen 81

Attendance - 8,185

A battling performance from Rovers was not rewarded today as Kevin Gallen netted in the 81^st minute to hand the hosts an undeserved win.  Aaron Cresswell came in for his debut in a depleted Rovers defence which was missing key players Ian Goodison and Andy Taylor.

Aaron Cresswell therefore filled in at left back for his debut at the age of 20. Charlie Barnett also started as Antony Kay moved to centre back. So the starting eleven looked like this:

Coyne

Shotton, Chorley, Kay, Cresswell

Barnett, Jennings, Edds

Moore                         Shuker

Savage

Rovers started the game well with Ian Moore winning a number of corners and Charlie Barnett having the first shot for Rovers.  Ryan Shotton and Ben Chorley did well to stop the Dons having a meaningful shot on goal.

Cresswell was doing well both at the back but also going forward putting a few threatening crosses into the box and on 31 minutes an up and under cross from Cresswell was dropped by the keeper Price and it fell to Gareth Edds who put his effort over from six yards when he really should have hit the target.

MK Dons had a few half chances that were kept out by Kay and Cresswell. Cresswell who was involved a lot in the first-half also hit a free kick goal wards that was well kept out by Price.

Half-Time: MK Dons 0-0 Tranmere

Danny Coyne kept out Puncheon whilst Chorley and Cresswell both blocked Chadwick efforts in the opening stages of the first half.

Jennings then set up Cresswell who shot over before Lewington and Jennings then both shot wide for either side.  Gerba then had an effort for MK Dons which was cleared off the line by Cresswell.

Eddy Sonko & Chris Greenacre then replaced Chris Shuker & Bas Savage and Sonko shot over for Rovers when there was support up with him who were probably better placed.

The breakthrough finally came but unfortuately it was for the MK Dons as substitute Kevin Gallen headed in for his first touch from a corner having just come on.

It could have been 2-0 in injury time as Baldock rattled the bar for the Dons as Rovers huffed and puffed but could find no breakthrough.

Full-Time: MK Dons 1-0 Tranmere

Ben Chorley

In the absence of Ian Goodison, Ben Chorley was the star man at the back for Rovers although Aaron Cresswell also has a fantastic first-team debut too at left-back.