Rovers equalled last season's amount of home defeats yesterday as they slumped to defeat against Walsall. One positive to take from the day is the fact that Rovers scored for the first time in six games. Chris Shuker and Alan Mahon (via a delflection off Kithson Bain on his debut) scored the goals but it wasn't enough as they went down 3-2.

It was surprising to see that John Barnes had only made three changes to the side that lost to Carlisle and they were both enforced.  Michael Ricketts made his first start for Rovers against his former club in place of the injured Ian Thomas-Moore.

Marlon Broomes started his first league game in place of Gavin Gunning, who had returned to Blackburn. The suspended Shaleum Logan was out so Gareth Edds moved to right back, and Craig Curran started up front. So the team looked like this...

Daniels

Cresswell, Broomes, Goodison, Edds

Mahon, McLaren, Welsh, Shuker

Ricketts, Curran

Subs: Collister, Taylor, Fraughan, Barnett, Gornell, Bain

Rovers started with an improved intent and had the first attempt when Ricketts curled over from 25 yards.  The next attack brought the first goal when Curran set up Chris Shuker and he ran goalwards, skipped past the defender and clipped a shot over the keeper and in. The first goal since Ian Thomas-Moore's second against Gillingham, a month previous.

Shuker Netted the Opening Goal in Rovers' Favour

Walsall were next to come close, Nicholls's cross was met by Darren Byfield who headed narrowly wide. The action was pretty much end to end, with Nicholls volleying wide for Walsall whilst Curran shot at the keeper for Rovers.

Just before half time Walsall were level when Taundrys shot from 20 yards was parried by Daniels, straight to Darren Byfield, who knocked in the rebound from close range.  

Moments later Troy Deeney was sent clean through and a brave Daniels save resulted in him being injured, but it meant the side went in for the break level.

Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Walsall

At half-time Rovers made a double change with Marlon Broomes being replaced by Ash Taylor and the injured Luke Daniels was replaced by Joe Collister for his debut.

Within minutes of the start Walsall went ahead, Ash Taylor didn't clear properly and Troy Deeney smashed in from close range giving Collister no chance.

Moments later Collister made a superb save to keep out Deeney's header from a corner.  Walsall continued to press, but Currans attempted lob almost caught Gilmartin out at the other end.  The next change was imminent for Rovers as Kithson Bain was brought on for his debut in place of Chris Shuker, with Craig Curran moving to right midfield.

Alan Mahon Netted Tranmere's Second Goal

Bain made an instant impact, he had looked impressive before Alan Mahon's long range shot deflected off the newcomer and over Gilmartin into the net to draw Rovers level.

With seven minutes left however, Walsall went ahead again.  Nicholls's run wasn't stopped by Ian Goodison and then the rest of the defence and he crossed for Troy Deeney to tap in at the back post.

Rovers then added pressure late on, Mahon shot over from range. Bain's knock was then kept out and at the other end Collister did well to deny Deeney his hat-trick when he was clean through.

Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 3 Walsall

 Joe Collister

A hard decision due to the fact there were no stand out performers.  Shuker was decent and Bain was a threat, but Collister made two word class saves from Deeney's header and one-on-one to keep Rovers in with a shout.  He looks a great young talent.

John Barnes's Post-Match Comments

"We concede goals when we have the ball and when we are on the attack. Kithson has electric pace and the only opportunity we had to play it into the channel for him to run on to and we delayed and delayed and lost the ball."

"I understand the fans' frustration, but I'm not going to take all the responsibility. The players have to take responsibility too. There have been bad decisions from experienced players who should know better.  All we can do is keep working."