Rovers Fightback not Enough in Port Vale Clash

Rovers lose Vale Park clash despite a valiant second half performance which saw them pull two goals back after being 3-0 down...

Port Vale kicked off and dominated heavily before finding a goal just three minutes into the game when Adam Yates right wing cross found last season's top scorer Tom Pope who netted with ease. 19 minutes into the game and Rovers did find the net through Ryan Lowe, however the goal was ruled out for offside. The valiants dominated the first half finding a myriad of chances including another Tom Pope effort which he sliced over the bar and a Carl Dickinson shot which was caught by keeper Owain Fon Williams. However a tactical change towards the end of the half saw Rovers create a number of chances in quick succesion.

Tranmere were glad to hear the half time whistle, however things were to get a lot worse for John MacMahon's men just two minutes into the second half after Vale started just like they did in the first half and found another goal after the ball was rolled back to Billy Knott who smashed the ball into the bottom right corner. Rovers were stunned by this and soon had a mountain ton climb with less than half an hour to go when Ben Williamson's effort from close range went under the body of Fon Williams and found the net.

(Jason Koumas freekick nearly inspires incredible comeback)

Despite the scoreline, Rovers were not prepared to go down without a fight and decreased the margin to two goals when Jason Koumas' corner found Ash Taylor's head at the near post and went in to make it 3-1. Tranmere then got a second just two minutes later when Koumas' freekick into a crowded penalty area evaded everyone and found it's way into the net to make it 3-2.

Rovers pressured Vale heavily after this and created a whole host of chances themselves including a James Wallace shot that tested substitute Vale keeper Sam Johnson after Chris Neal had to go off on a stretcher. Despite pushing Vale to the very limit, the game ended 3-2 and Rovers left with