Tranmere Rovers boss Nigel Adkins felt his side gave away “two cheap goals” and should have had a penalty in their 2-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers.
The visitors took the lead on the Wirral after Harrison Biggins scored in the 27th minute, and doubled their advantage through Mo Faal just before the hour mark.
Connor Jennings put Rovers in with a shout with 20 minutes remaining, but the South Yorkshire side weathered the storm and held on to win.
Speaking to club media, Adkins said: “It hurts. I thought once we made the substitutions in the second half we’d go on and get something from the game.
“I should’ve made a change after 15 minutes. When Paul Lewis came on it freed Regan Hendry who was far better in an advanced position.”
Adkins analysed the goals his side conceded and pulled no punches in his comments. On the first goal, the 58-year-old added: “Ultimately, the throw-in, give and go. One of our players, just stay with your man, don’t be lazy, stay with your man. He hasn’t done it, they go and score from it.”
“And they can’t score the second goal, it’s one goal kick straight down the middle. The centre-half knows he needs to deal with it, he hasn’t done and it’s a cheap goal. Two cheap goals that we’ve given the opposition.”
A key moment came moments from the full-time whistle when a Tranmere penalty appeal was waved away after the ball struck Josef Yarney.
The Birkenhead-born manager thought that referee Ben Speedie should have pointed to the spot.
“Has it hit his hand in an unnatural opinion, yes it has. Let’s not talk about the officials’ performances tonight. We’ve got to think about ourselves and we’ve got to reflect on it.
“I’m being mindful with my words at this moment in time because it’s not nice losing.”
Tranmere travel north to Morecambe on Tuesday night, looking to end a four-game winless run.
Writer’s View
Nigel Adkins was unreserved in his post-match comments, letting his side know that it was the defensive errors that cost them a result last night. Jordan Turnbull was outplayed and outmuscled by the Mo Faal on his way to Doncaster’s second. His comments are necessary, with Rovers currently out of the relegation zone only on goals scored.
But there are positive points to be made in yesterday’s loss. Connor Jennings had a standout performance at Prenton Park, with 84% pass accuracy and 14 recoveries to add to his goal. Tranmere were not outplayed by the visitors and on another day the result could have gone in their favour. Adkins will be looking for a response from his side on Tuesday and must be at their best when playing Stockport County next weekend.
