Tranmere Rovers tasted defeat at Wembley for the first time since 2000 as they lost 1-0 to Sunderland in the EFL Trophy Final.
Lynden Gooch’s 57th minute strike was enough to end Sunderland’s 48-year wait for a Wembley win.
The Whites most definitely dominated stages of the game with boss Keith Hill admitting his side had nothing to be ashamed of leaving the field following the defeat.
Speaking to the club’s official channels, the 51-year-old said: ”They’ve supported each other throughout the course of this competition and in the league fixtures as-well, we’ve always responded collectively and together”
Hill added: ”The only disappointment today is the scoreboard, the performance was magnificent”
”I’m looking forward to the 13 games we’ve got left in League Two and to hopefully fulfil our aims of getting promoted to League One.”
Rovers have seen a superb upturn since the arrival of the former Rochdale boss, climbing to 5th in the league table, five points behind leaders Cheltenham Town.
And with strugglers Grimsby Town up next for the Whites – it’s another opportunity to close the gap on those all important automatic promotion places.
Avid Tranmere fan, Scott Walker has pinned his hopes on Rovers returning to League One through finishing in those all important top three places.
”Hopefully we don’t have to go back to Wembley in May and we don’t need to rely on the Play-Offs given the position were in.”
The 24-year-old, from Rock Ferry, added: ”We’re obviously in a very strong position in the league and you would hope we could go up through the automatics.
“Maybe even a title challenge in there, one bad result doesn’t define who we are.”
Rovers were handed a slight set back last week with top scorer James Vaughan sidelined for the Final – after a knee injury he sustained in the recent 3-1 win over Leyton Orient.
With more than capable replacements Kaiyne Woolery and David Nugent within Hill’s experienced squad, it will provide a chance for the pair to step up when called upon.
Graeme Hickey, another on watcher from yesterday’s game admitted the Super Whites having Hill at the helm moving forward can only benefit the side.
“We’ve got one of the best managers we could ask for in Keith Hill, he’s got a long-term vision here.”
The Bristol based supporter added: “We’d of course all love to win at Wembley come May and look towards promotion, it can only stand us in great stead.
“The guarantee of finishing in the top three would be nice than of course having to come back – especially without the guarantee of having fans either.
“It can be the best place in the world, but at the same time the worst if you lose.”
An overriding sense of emotions has been cast upon this spirited Rovers side, but attention must now turn to ensuring Tranmere returns to the third tier come the end of this campaign.
(Photo Credits: Tranmere Rovers FC)
