Rovers top ten-man Green in League Two play-off semi-final first leg

Tranmere will take a slender benefit into their Sky Guess League Two play-off semi-final second leg after goal-line expertise helped them safe a 1-Zero victory over 10-man Forest Inexperienced at Prenton Park.

Ollie Banks’ 26th-minute piledriver cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and bounced again out however referee John Busby obtained notification that the ball had crossed the road and awarded the aim.

The guests had Gavin Gunning despatched off early on for kicking out at Jay Harris, however regardless of their numerical drawback, Mark Cooper’s facet defended resolutely within the second half to maintain themselves within the tie.

The 2 sides know one another all too properly having met within the 2017 Vanarama Nationwide League play-off ultimate at Wembley, with the Gloucestershire facet rising victorious, and there was no love misplaced right here as the perimeters matched one another deal with for deal with.

League Two’s prime goalscorer James Norwood fired vast early on, however simply previous the 15-minute mark Forest Inexperienced have been decreased to 10 males when Harris fouled Gunning, who reacted by kicking out on the Tranmere midfielder, leading to a straight purple card.

With the numerical benefit, the Whites went on the assault and took the lead within the 26th minute as Banks unleashed an unstoppable swerving volley that made the crossbar shudder.

The midfielder grew to become the primary participant ever to attain at Prenton Park following the approval of goal-line expertise.

5 minutes later, Norwood missed a golden alternative to double the house group’s benefit, blazing over on the far submit.

Early within the second half, Christian Doidge needed a penalty when he went to floor within the field underneath stress from Tranmere defender Manny Monthe, however the referee waved his claims away.

The enraged Forest Inexperienced striker was then fortunate to remain on the pitch, as moments later he caught a sneaky elbow within the face of goalscorer Banks that went unspotted by the officers.

Unsurprisingly, Tranmere have been exhibiting the better attacking intent. A cross from Liam Ridehalgh was headed vast by Norwood earlier than Micky Mellon threw on attacking midfielders Jonny Smith and Harvey Gilmour searching for a second aim.

Substitute George Williams tried to purchase the Inexperienced Devils a penalty however his claims fell on deaf ears.

Inspired by the Kop, Monthe twice tried his luck from lengthy vary however solely succeeded in firing over on each events.

Tranmere pressed laborious to double their benefit within the closing levels however discovered their dogged opponents in no temper to provide an inch.

The 2 sides will meet once more on Monday evening on the New Garden, with the Birkenhead facet holding the higher hand, however solely simply.