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By Mark Ridgway
February 4 2009
November
The first trip to the new MK Dons Stadium ended in a 1-0 defeat for Rovers on the first day of November as Cresswell made his Rovers debut. Ronnie Moore's men then progressed further in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as they beat Morecambe 1-0 thanks to a Ryan Shotton goal.
Next up was the FA Cup first round and an away trip to Accrington Stanley but Rovers didn't play well and drew 0-0 meaning a replay would be played which was live on Setanta Sports who clearly expected a shock. In the end the game was again disappointing but Rovers won 1-0 with Chris Shuker getting the goal.
Tranmere then put in a quality performance in a bad tempered game against Southend United as Moore and Savage both scored decent goals but Steven Jennings was also sent off and a Southend player soon followed. There could have been more dismissed in a passionate affair.
Steve Jennings saw Red at Home to Southend
Following that game, suspensions and injuries then took their toll on the squad for the trip to Yeovil Town with six key men out meaning that Danny Holmes made his debut as Rovers lost 1-0. The following Tuesday Rovers faced recent league leaders Scunthorpe United and Sonko and Shotton gave a dominant Rovers side something of a surprise 2-0 win.
December
The FA Cup then returned as Rovers fought well for a 0-0 away draw and therefore a replay on their second visit of the season to Peterborough. Next was the huge game with play off contenders Leeds and a passionate affair was bound to be close as Leeds took the lead, only for Rovers to come back and win 2-1 with goals from Kay and Ian Moore once again against his former club.
Rovers were then dumped out of the FA Cup in the replay devastating fashion. Antony Kay gave Tranmere the lead against Peterborough, only for the visitors to equalise in added time and win it in extra time.
Rovers travelled to Bristol Rovers a few days later and were very disappointing as they lost 2-0. The next cup came around quickly, this time a trip to Scunthorpe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-final but after Ian Moore had spectacularly equalised for Rovers, Scunthorpe went on to win it in injury time. Surely this spell of bad luck had to turn sooner or later?
Sure enough Rovers' luck turned in the very next game as poor conditions meant Rovers and Brighton struggled at Prenton Park but Antony Kay popped up in injury time to bag a crucial winner for Rovers in a 1-0 win.
Antony Kay (left) and Ian Moore (right) were on Target Vs Leeds Utd
On Boxing Day, a trip to Hereford saw Rovers earn a decent point at a tricky ground as Eddy Sonko scored twice in a 2-2 draw. The month ended with a home game against Walsall as Ian Goodison scored for the first time in three seasons and Antony Kay bagged yet another late winner in a 2-1 win.
January
Freezing conditions meant Rovers started 2009 on the 19th of January, with games away to Colchester and at home to Peterborough being called off on successive Saturdays due to frozen pitches.
In that opening game of 2009, Rovers travelled to Millwall and were unlucky to lose 1-0 before the first home game of the year at home to Carlisle saw Rovers produce a dominant performance to win 4-1 with goals from Moore [2], Edds and Jennings.
Next up was a big game at home to Stockport County with both sides sitting just outside the play- offs. Rovers played well and won 2-1 with goals from Edds and Moore [penalty]. The last game of January was away at local rivals Crewe and it was all going well as Kay gave Rovers the lead but after losing Ian Goodison to injury, it all fell apart as Crewe scored two late goals and won 2-1.
