Tranmere recorded their first clean sheet in the league since October as they were held to a goalless draw at Cambridge United today.
Micky Mellon made one change from the team that beat Stevenage last weekend with Zoumana Bakayogo coming in for Liam Ridehalgh at left back.
Rovers settled in to the game the better team and may have taken the lead when Jake Caprice beat his opposing full-back and fizzed a low ball across the face of goal. There were also two great chances in the first half for James Norwood.
He was put through on goal by a long Manny Monthe clearance for the first but was denied by a fine sliding tackle by the recovering defender. He also perhaps could have done better when a left-wing cross found him unmarked at the back post, but his failed to generate enough power on his header.
At the other end, Scott Davies was the hero of the hour as he produced a range of superb saves to keep the scores level. He needed treatment twice in the first half after two separate brave saves, while ex-Rover David Amoo forced a yellow card out of Bakayogo for a cynical handball.
The second half didn’t hit the same heights as the first, with Rovers arguably again having the best opportunities. A great ball over the top from Perkins found Norwood unmarked but the striker miscued his left-foot volley harmlessly wide.
Sub Jonny Smith was denied by a keeper save late on as he cut in, while Connor Jennings was also denied in a 50-50 with the keeper.
A word about the officials as well, the ref was poor. Perkins was booked for dissent because of how he reacted to a blatant free-kick not given. There was a blatant booking missed for a Cambridge player for pulling Pringle back in the first half, while a cowardly and out-of-control tackle from the Cambridge right-back should have resulted in a red card after he left Bakayogo crumpled on the turf. It was no surprise to see Micky Mellon take some time to speak with the ref at full-time.
All-in-all, a fair result in a well contested game between two teams who were happy to mix it physically and try to play a bit of football as well.
On to Port Vale on Tuesday night.
