Tranmere Rovers Wembley dream dies after blowing two-goal lead and losing penalty shootout to WalsallRovers went out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in a Northern semi-final defeat at Prenton Park
Tranmere’s Wembley dream died in the lottery of a penalty shootout as they went out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in a Northern semi-final defeat to Walsall at Prenton Park.
It was a case of so near but so far for Rovers, who led 2-0 after just over an hour of a compelling tie, only to be pegged back by the League One side by the end of 90 minutes.
Rovers also led in the penalty shootout and if Liam Ridehalgh had converted their fifth kick, they would have gone through.
Unfortunately the left-back’s shot struck the woodwork and after Marc Laird saw Tranmere’s next penalty saved, Paul Downing scored the decisive kick for Walsall.
It was the Saddlers’ first penalty shootout success in more than a decade.
For most of the night, Rovers closed the gap of the division between the teams with a bold and resourceful performance.
The Saddlers may have the best defensive record in League One but they were troubled by Tranmere’s ability to attack them from the flanks.
Max Power put Rovers ahead with a spectacular 30-yard shot from wide on the left on 38 minutes and Kayode Odejayi notched his first goal in Rovers shirt from a Power corner on 43 minutes.
Walsall, who wasted some opportunities in the opening half-hour, pulled a goal back on 63 minutes by substitute Antony Forde.
They then drew level on 80 minutes when Michael Cain found the top corner with a ferocious shot from the edge of the box.
Walsall manager Dean Smith underlined his ambitions in the competition by recalling leading marksman Tom Bradshaw for his first game in over a month after overcoming a hamstring injury.
Smith also gave a debut to 17-year-old full-back Rico Henry.
Opposite number Micky Adams, unable to use the cup tied Shamir Fenelon in attack, promoted Kayode Odejayi from the bench to partner Cole Stockton.
Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Adams at Prenton Park on Tuesday night. Picture: Action Images / Paul Currie
He also gave a start in midfield to James Rowe, who impressed in the third round win at Bury, in place of Callaum Jahraldo Martin.
Tranmere were direct and often looked most threatening when they got wingbacks Danny Holmes and Liam Ridehalgh into space down the flanks to deliver crosses.
They created a first clear opportunity for Stockton on 22 minutes.
The young front man broke into the box on the right to meet a well directed crossfield pass from Ridehalgh.
His low shot, taken early, was matched by an athletic save from goalkeeper Richard O Donnell.
But Tranmere’s breakthrough goal on 38 minutes did indeed come from the ball from the flanks.
However, it took only a short pass inside from the left touchline by Ridehalgh to create the space from where Power measured a 30-yard shot of fiendish curl and accuracy that flew like a guided missile just inside the right-hand post.
Tranmere added a second on 43 minutes with a simple goal from a corner. Power delivered the right wing flag kick and big target man Odejayi out-jumped the Walsall defenders on the edge of the six yard box to direct a downward header into the bottom corner.
Tranmere picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, keepign O’Donnell busy.
But when the home side dropped their guard, Forde to found space to fire a low shot past Fon Williams to halve Tranmere’s lead.
After Cain equalised, Tranmere were denied a third goal by a goal-line clearance from Henry, who kicked the ball clear after Donacien is header had beaten O’Donnell.
Odejayi thought he had scored his second goal of the night on 85 minutes, only to be disappointed by an offside flag and, in a thrilling close to the 90 minutes, Tranmere substitute Marc Laird narrowly missed the target.
Vital statistics
TRANMERE ROVERS (3-5-2): Fon Williams, Donacien, Holness, Ihiekwe, Holmes, Power, Jennings, Rowe (Laird 76), Ridehalgh, Stockton (Donnelly 81), Odejayi.
SUBS: Pilling, Jahraldo-Martin, WoodardsWALSALL (4-2-3-1): O’Donnell, Purkiss, Downing, Chambers, Henry, Chambers Grimes 90), Cain, Baxendale (Mansett 54), Sawyers, Cook (Forde 46), Bradshaw. SUBS: O’Connor, MacGillvray.
REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham.
ATTENDANCE: 2,355.
