MOORE QUIET ON FA PROBE
RONNIE Moore declined to comment on claims that he is the subject of a Football Association investigation after his Tranmere team drew with Bristol City.
The manager spoke at length about his side’s performance, but made a swift departure when questioned about media reports concerning a possible breach of regulations preventing him from betting on any competition in which his club is involved.
Asked whether he wanted to comment on the story, Moore said simply: “What story?” and departed with a broad grin on his face.
No charges have been brought against the 61-year-old Tranmere boss and he has not been suspended.
A club statement said: “Tranmere Rovers are aware of media reports regarding Ronnie Moore. As this is an ongoing matter the club will make no further comment at this time.”
On the pitch the visitors were well worth the point earned by a superb Jason Koumas equaliser ten minutes from time and might even have nicked all three.
“I thought we were tremendous in the first half and really bossed the game,” he added.
“Bristol couldn’t handle our midfield and my only disappointment is that if we had got on the front foot a bit more we would have come away with a win.
“Jake Cassidy deserved his first goal since returning to us on loan for all the hard work he has put in and the Jason Koumas strike was magnificent.
“There wasn’t much we could have done about Bristol’s first goal because the lad hasn’t meant to score. But we might have defended better for their second.”
There was a large element of luck about City’s first goal on 12 minutes. Sam Baldock saw his driven cross from the right elude goalkeeper Owain fon Williams and enter the net off the inside of the far post for his 17th goal of the season.
Tranmere had started well and were level within seven minutes when Jake Cassidy turned past Aden Flint to drive a fierce shot over goalkeeper Simon Moore from ten yards. It was the striker's first goal of a second spell on loan from Wolves.
City looked to have won it on 78 minutes when Baldock’s cross from the right to the far post was headed home by left-back Derrick Williams for his first Football League goal.
But the classy Koumas was having none of it, finding the top corner of the net with a rightfooted shot from just outside the box that gave Moore no chance.
And Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill felt City ran out of steam in their seventh game in 21 days.
He said: “At times we found it hard to raise a gallop, although we improved in the second half when we passed the ball a lot better.
“I feared that tiredness would be a factor and so it proved.
“It has been a very tough period for the players and I’m pleased we now have a free week to prepare for another important game at Sheffield United.
“The lads are very disappointed in the dressing room.”
BRISTOL CITY: (4-2-3-1): Moore 6, Osborne 6, Flint 6, ElAbd 5, Williams 7 (Bryan 85), Elliott 6, Pack 6, Baldock 6, Emmanuel-Thomas 5, Cunningham 6 (Reid 68, 6), Barnett 5 (Burns 46, 7). Subs not used: Fielding, Moloney, Wynter, Gillett
TRANMERE ROVERS: (4-5-1): Fon Williams 6, Pennington 6, Taylor 6, Arthurworrey 7, Ridehalgh 6, Lowe 7, Wallace 7, Jennings 6, Koumas 8, Kennedy 7 (Kirby 82, 6), Cassidy 7. Subs not used: Mooney, Holmes, Goodsion, Robinson, Stockton, Power