GET YOUR ENGINES READY
Imps can claim title at Gateshead
VERDICT: Tranmere Rovers will miss out on the title because they simply haven’t won when the stakes are at their highest. They must fix that problem before the play-offs arrive
MICKY MELLON gave a frank assessment of his team’s performance as Tranmere’s National League title hopes were all but extinguished in a pulsating draw with Aldershot Town.
The Shots took the lead through Matt McClure in the fourth minute but were pegged back by a Cole Stockton volley before Connor Jennings put Rovers in front.
A defensive lapse allowed Bernard Mensah to pounce before the break, levelling up the scores in what was a pulsating opening 45 minutes, but that score line was how the contest concluded, leaving Rovers five points adrift of Lincoln.
Mellon said: “I didn’t think we started well. We’re disappointed with the goal we gave away, we shouldn’t be giving them away with the quality of players that we have.
“Then we rallied. The front two looked a constant threat with their pace and power. We looked like our old selves.
“We got going and got ourselves in front and then we gave away another crazy goal. There were things in it that we’ve not seen this season.
“After the break the tempo of the game dropped a little bit and we just couldn’t get that wee bit of quality in the final third to open things up. In the end we’d have to say that 2-2 was a fair result.”