Notts Surrender Home Record to Rovers

Last updated : 19 April 2003 By

Tranmere Rovers continued their push for a play-off place with a 12th consecutive game without defeat and fully deserved to take all three points at Meadow Lane.

Notts County have been formidable opposition at home since Christmas and Rovers became only the second visitors to win here in this period.

Notts were well below their best and it could not all be put down to the absence of a number of key players or to the extremely blustery conditions.

Rovers appeared the stronger side physically and also had the sharper ideas, but had to wait 65 minutes for the winner.

It was beautifully created by Ian Anderson and substitute Jason Price, and when the ball reached leading scorer Simon Haworth some ten yards out he was completely unmarked and able to direct a low header wide of Saul Deeney.

Notts had been saved in the first half with a goalline clearance by Danny Allsopp though they were unlucky when top scorer Mark Stallard saw a goalbound shot deflected.

Tranmere increased the pressure in the second half and after their goal had chances to wrap up the points with an even more emphatic win.

Price and Howarth both missed splendid openings and this allowed Notts to stage a strong late rally during which defender Paddy McCarthy delivered their best shot.

This was a piledriver from the edge of the area that stung the fingers of Rovers' goalkeeper John Achterberg as he parried it.

Otherwise Notts had little to show from their few scoring opportunities and Rovers finished the stronger of the two teams.

Notts manager Billy Dearden afterwards acknowledged that Rovers deserved their win and he refused to blame the conditions for a performance that he admitted had been a poor one.