First win for Micky as Rovers Power in
MICKY Adams celebrated his first league win as Tranmere manager, and the club’s first since August, as frustrated Portsmouth boss Andy Awford admitted his side’s poor away form is defining Pompey’s season.
Adams watched Rovers snatch an early lead when Shamir Fenelon swept them in front, but Jed Edwards’ ninth goal of the season pulled Portsmouth level before James Rowe restored Tranmere’s advantage.
And Max Power forced in a third after Paul Jones saved his late penalty to delight rapturous Rovers fans, despite the game being marred by a nasty injury to Will Aimson who departed on a stretcher following a lengthy delay.
“The players were excellent,” Adams said.“I was really pleased with the bravery we showed on the ball.
“When you’re bottom of the table you can get nervous, but I thought everybody showed lots of character.
“This win gives everybody a boost and the fans were terrific for us.
“Hopefully we can get a bit more confidence now and kick on.
“There is a lot of hard work to do on the training ground, but we’re not too far away from the teams we need to chase.
“But Will Aimson’s injury looks a bad one and I’m disappointed for him because he’d started well.”
Fenelon gave Tranmere a dream second-minute start from close range, after Power’s corner confused Portsmouth’s defence.
Jones saved Fenelon’s volley three minutes later but Pompey’s Dan Butler should have scored with an unmarked header 11 minutes in.
Rovers defender Aimson was stretchered off following a 17thminute collision with team-mate Danny Holmes.
Fenelon opened the second half with a vicious long-range strike that Jones turned away for a corner, before Wallace’s deflected 18-yard shot pulled Portsmouth level just before the hour.
But Rowe had time to pick his spot when he put Tranmere back in front from 12 yards, finding the far corner with a flourish on 68 minutes.
And Power sealed the win when he tucked away the rebound after seeing his 78th-minute penalty saved following Wallace’s foul on Rowe.
Pompey manager Awford said:“The fact we’ve only won once away from home this season isn’t unlucky, we need to turn it around.
“We have to change our mentality and although we played better than we have done recently away from home we have still conceded three goals and only scored one.”