Rovers Close in on the Play-Off Places

Ten-man Rovers earned a valuable three points against relegation threatened Swindon Town on Saturday afternoon.  Ian Goodison walked for bringing down Cox, this after Antony Kay gave Rovers the lead with a classy goal.

There was just one change to the side that drew with MK Dons last Saturday with Andy Taylor returning at left back in place of Aaron Cresswell.  Danny Coyne was fit enough for the substitute's bench as John Achterberg continued in goal meaning the team looked like this...

The first real shot of the game came from Ian Moore who had a deflected 30 yard effort easily kept out by Brezovan and on 17 minutes Antony Kay tested the keeper with a low drive from 25 yards.

On 23 minutes Andy Taylor did superbly to keep Rovers level, denying Simon Cox an open goal with an amazing slide tackle.  Achterberg then had to palm away a Robson-Kanu effort.

Rovers put Swindon under a bit of pressure and were winning a number of corners thanks to good work from Barnett, Jennings and Shuker. Amankawaah then had a low shot kept out by Achterberg as the game was end to end.

Just before half-time, Bas Savage went down after tangling awkwardly with Swindon's Jamie Vincent and the striker had to be helped off and subbed for Terry Gornell.  Ian Moore had time to put a diving header wide of the goal as the teams went in all square at the break.

Half Time:  Tranmere Rovers 0 - 0 Swindon Town

The first chance of the second half ended in the Swindon net as Steve Jennings did well to set up Antony Kay who did even better to beat two men and volley superbly into the bottom corner, this was the captains eighth of the season making him only one goal behind the top scorer Ian Moore.

Charlie Barnett then tested the keeper from a free kick as Rovers continued to press for a second.  However the game changed shape as Rovers went down to ten men when Simon Cox broke clean through on goal. 

Ian Goodison may have caught Cox slightly and he hit the deck but as Goodison was the last man he was shown a red card even though Taylor may have caught up to Cox anyway.

Rovers re-shuffled with Kay moving to centre back, Ian Moore moving to left midfield and Charlie Barnett to centre midfield, meaning that Terry Gornell was now employed as a lone striker.

Swindon, having the extra man, upped their game and on 68 minutes hit the post with an audacious over-head kick from Billy Paynter. Gareth Edds then entered the field in place of the disappointing Chris Shuker with Charlie Barnett moving to right midfield.

Gornell and Jennings fashioned a chance for the latter who surged into the box and tested the keeper with a low shot which he kept out with his feet.

Ifil then came close with a header from a corner and Ryan Shotton had to clear off the line after Peacocks header had beat Achterberg.  Rovers fans continued to get behind the team and the players reacted with some battling defending.

As the game entered the last few minutes Cox headed over at the far post and Nalis fired over from outside the area but Rovers hung on to a valuable three points and earned a good result in the circumstances.

Full Time:  Tranmere Rovers 1 - 0 Swindon Town

There were a number of good performances from Barnett, Shotton and Gornell but the return of Andy Taylor was key today as he didn't put a foot wrong and put in some great tackles and clearances.  Also he saved a certain goal in the first half with that amazing tackle on Cox.