Rovers Unlucky to Lose at The New Den

Despite dominating large parts of the game, Tranmere were once again on the end of an away defeat yesterday, this time at Millwall thanks to a solitary goal by Marc Laird in the second half for the hosts which got them out of jail after Tranmere should have already gone ahead.

Millwall 1 - 0 Tranmere R

    Laird 72

Attendance - 8,257

Despite being the better side at the New Den, Rovers failed to take their chances and paid for it as Marc Laird headed in the winner in the second half for Millwall.

At last Rovers actually played a game after twenty days without one due to the recent cold weather forcing postponements but the New Den isn't the easiest place to go.  Despite this Rovers fought hard and gave a good account of themselves.

The only change to the side that beat Walsall was in the right back position as the returning Ryan Shotton replaced Gareth Edds, so the teams lined up as follows...

Coyne

Shotton Chorley Goodison Taylor

Moore  Jennings        Kay  Sonko

Shuker 

Savage

The first real chance of the game fell to Ben Chorley whose volley was well tipped around the post by David Forde and on 19 minutes Chris Shuker shot wide.

Rovers were defending bravely as Ben Chorley and Antony Kay threw their bodies in front of shots and at one point Neil Harris chipped just over the bar.

Rovers could go in for half-time pleased after they'd had the better of the chances in the opening period.

Half Time: Millwall 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

As a sign of Rovers first-half success, Millwall made a double substitution at half time bring on Izale Mcleod and Nadjim Abdou to replace Tresor Kandol and Ali Fuseini.

Antony Kay was Rovers' Star Performer at Millwall

On 52 minutes, McLeod almost made an instant impact as he hit the outside of the post with a right footed effort and just six minutes later Shuker failed to get on the end of a Bas Savage flick.

Just after the hour mark, Chris Shuker had another two chances that were both blocked whilst Ryan Shotton was proving he'd been practicing throw ins with Clubmate Rory Delap by launching a few to near the penalty spot, one of which hit Savage awkwardly in front of goal and was cleared away.

Eddy Sonko then tested Forde with a header that needed to be tipped over and a few minutes later the same played volleyed wide for the dominating visitors.

On 73 minutes though and despite Rovers control of the game, Millwall took the lead against the run of play David Martins cross was headed in by Marc Laird.

A minute after the goal, Sonko then produced a mazy run but shot over as Rovers continued to pressure right until the end with Shotton's throws causing problems.

Deep into injury time Ian Moore appeared to be brought down in the area, but penalty appeals were turned down to the fury of the Rovers players. This resulted in the game ending in a bad tempered manner as Rovers undeservedly left with nothing.

Full Time: Millwall 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

Antony Kay

Kay led by example for Rovers with a dominant midfield perfromance.  Savage and Chorley also perfromed well on the day but Kay was better than the rest.