Mellon: We need a lift
MICKY MELLON admitted his promotionchasing Tranmere side must find more quality as they slipped up at Colchester.
A last-gasp goal by substitute Junior Tchamadeu gave the hosts victory, meaning that Rovers have not won in seven away.
Defeat keeps them just in the play-off spots, a point ahead of Mansfield.
Mellon said: “The performance, we had to show a bit more quality, for the amount of ball possession that we had, with a bit more in the final pass.
“Their keeper has made a couple of great saves, one of them was unbelievable.
“I’ve got to be honest, there was only one team that deserved to win that game and we certainly deserved not to get nothing out of it.”
Colchester had the better of the opening, and almost took a 14th-minute lead when Luke Hannant chipped keeper Joe Murphy – but put his effort wide.
Cameron Coxe looked to have been fouled in the area on 23 minutes, but referee Carl
Brook awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.
U’s keeper Shamal George denied Kane Hemmings on 38 minutes, and was called into action again on 63 minutes when he turned away an Elliott Nevitt shot.
After coming more into the game, Tranmere were stunned right at the death.
Tchamadeu connected superbly to volley a loose ball straight into the net, scoring his first professional goal.
Victory puts the Essex side 11 points clear of the drop zone and within touching distance of survival.
Interim head coach Wayne Brown said: “It’s nice standing here with three points and obviously the lads are chuffed to bits in there – three points at home against a top-four team, is a fantastic return.”