NINE-MAN TRANMERE CLING ON!
Mellon’s men escape with a point
VERDICT: It was hardly vintage Tranmere but to take a point at a rejuvenated Torquay with nine men shows their title resolve. Torquay will be delighted with a point and a clean sheet to start
TRANMERE Rovers manager Micky Mellon was pleased with the character his side showed as they earned a hard-earned point at Plainmoor despiter being reduced to nine men.
Rovers skipper Steve McNulty received his marching orders for a second yellow card early in the second half whilst James Norwood was given a straight red late on, but last season’s beaten play-off finalists still came away with a share of the spoils.
“In the circumstances that were thrown at us we’ve shown a lot of good qualities,” said Mellon. “We battled our corner, we fought our way, we had the best chances in the game – of that there is no doubt – we’ve hit the bar twice and we’ve had some more opportunities which as the season goes on we will be more clinical about taking.
“I always knew it was going to be a difficult, it’s always a tough place to come, but we’ve got a clean sheet and a point on the board so we’re on our way.”
His opposite number Kevin Nicholson was pleased with his side’s showing against the bookies’ favourites to win promotion from the National League.
“There was a lot of good things out there in terms of passion, desire and commitment from us,” said Nicholson.
“They (Tranmere) are a good side there are no two ways about that, they’re a well-oiled machine already and a lot of those guys have been together for quite some time.
“For the most part I thought we matched them, when they went down to ten men and then nine men, we became really despite to do well and a bit more clear thinking would have enabled us to move the ball better.”
Tranmere took just two minutes to fire in the first effort on goal – Norwood seeing his shot on the turn tipped behind by Gulls keeper Ryan Clarke.
And Rovers went close again in the fifth minute when a freekick from Liam Ridehalgh struck the crossbar before Clarke punched away the rebound.
Torquay took their time to settle in but, on 12 minutes, a
long throw-in from right-back Ryan Higgins picked out JonPaul Pittman, but the former Grimsby man nodded over.
And the Gulls threatened again on 21 minutes when Jake Gosling tested keeper Scott Davies with a curling free-kick.
Tranmere’s hopes, however, suffered a setback on 55 minutes when centre back McNulty received a second yellow from referee Sam Allison for dissent.
Despite being a man down, Rovers still managed to carve out opportunities as James Alabi saw a shot on the turn deflected behind for a corner.
Torquay responded and on 77 minutes Bournemouth loanee Jordan Lee hit the side netting as the home side enjoyed a good spell of pressure.
Rovers were then reduced to nine men five minutes from time when Norwood was dismissed following a reckless challenge on United skipper Josh Gowling.
And the Gulls nearly made them pay when a dramatic goal line clearance from substitute Ritchie Sutton denied midfielder Yan Klukowski a late winner.