Walsall 0 – 2 Tranmere Rovers

McAteer 58

Taylor 80

Attendance: 7,217

Brian Little made one change from the starting eleven that drew 1-1 with Barnsley on Boxing Day with ex-Saddler Paul Hall dropping to the bench to make way for Theodore Whitmore in order to accommodate a change of formation of three Centre Backs, with Roberts and Taylor as Wing Backs and a midfield three of Whitmore, Rankine and McAteer. Chris Dagnall again started up front with Iain Hume. Walsall had three ex-Tranmere players in their starting line-up. Goalkeeper Joe Murphy, defender Simon Osborn and striker Marvin Robinson who had a brief loan spell with Tranmere all faced their former club while Tranmere substitute Paul Hall once played for Walsall.

The first 20 minutes of the first half were a tight affair with both sides having good attacking possession and Player Manager Paul Merson in particular leading by example for the Saddlers. Tranmere had two good chances in the first quarter of an hour from Roberts, whose shot was deflected over for a corner and Goodison after the lively Chris Dagnall set him up.

In the twentieth minute, Walsall had a penalty shout as Sharps looked to have clumsily tackled Leitao in the area but referee Mr Laws was having none of the home crowds appeals, much to the annoyance of Merson who was booked for his protests at the decision. Chances continued thereafter to fall for both sides with possibly the best chance of the half falling to Whitmore 18 yards out after being set up by Taylor but his shot flew over the bar and ensured a half-time stalemate.

As the second half began, Dagnall had a couple of half decent chances as Tranmere began to dominate more and more and Walsall’s threat seemed to fade. As Tranmere’s grip on the game tightened further, they finally took the leadon the hour mark and after the poor give away that cost us two points on Sunday, who else should give Rovers the lead than Jason McAteer. Iain Hume broke free on the left and found Whitmore who in turn found McAteer in a lot of space towards the right hand corner of the area about 20 yards out. From where the away fans were sitting, the moment McAteer struck a stinger of a shot that Murphy seemed to get a hand to, it was destined for the net. Murphy’s hand could only put the ball into the top of the goal to delight the Rovers faithful.

Moments after that goal, Tranmere had a scare at the other end when a Paul Merson knock-down fell for Leitao whose curling volley struck Russell Howarth’s right hand post and went away from danger. Whether Walsall felt that that chance along with the earlier penalty appeal summed up their luck for the day is unclear but that chance was one of the last clear cut chances that Walsall had as Tranmere played the game out at their own tempo.

On 76 minutes, Whitmore and Dagnall were replaced by Harrison and Dadi and just four minutes later, Tranmere eased any fears the travelling fans may have had of a comeback with a vital second goal. Murphy seemed to have control of Ryan Taylor’s shot but he inexplicably allowed the ball to go over him and roll – in what seemed like slow motion – into the bottom left hand corner.

Iain Hume was replaced three minutes after the second goal to an ovation from the away fans and was replaced by Paul Hall. Two more good runs at the Walsall defence ended with Murphy making saves firstly from Harrison and then form Ryan Taylor but in the end Tranmere would be more than happy to settle for a two-nil victory.

With Luton dropping two points at home to Colchester and Hull not due to play until Wednesday night, the result also meant that Tranmere gained some ground on the top two in the division.

Ryan Taylor – The whole defence and the wingbacks in particular were excellent all round but Taylor, mainly for his goal can be seen as the pick of the five.

Murphy, McShane (Wright 60), Emblen, Bennett, Aranalde, Osborn, Standing, Merson, Wrack, Robinson, Leitao

Subs not Used: Paston, D Taylor, Kinsella, Broad

Bookings: Aranalde, Merson

Howarth, Jackson, Sharps, Goodison,Taylor, Rankine, McAteer, Whitmore (Harrison 76), Roberts, Dagnall (Dadi 76), Hume (Hall 83),

Subs not Used: Beresford, Palethorpe

Booking: Rankine

Referee – Mr G Laws