Tranmere Rovers were edged out 1-0 by fellow League Two strugglers Accrington Stanley in what turned out to be Nigel Adkins’ last game as Rovers manager.
Shortly after the final whistle in last night’s relegation tussle, the club confirmed Adkins had stepped down as manager by mutual agreement.
The two sides sat 21st (Accrington Stanley) and 22nd (Tranmere Rovers) in League Two knowing a win could have huge ramifications on their Football League status come May.
Adkins named an unchanged side from Tranmere’s 2-1 loss at Notts County but it produced the same result for Rovers.
Though Tranmere enjoyed more possession in the first half it was the visitors who nearly took the lead through Ash Hunter.
Some sloppy passing from the Tranmere back four on six minutes allowed Josh Woods to play in the Englishman, who was then denied by keeper Luke McGee.
McGee was called into action again for the home side after a slip from Lee O’Connor gave Hunter another free run at goal on 35 minutes, but the keeper got enough on the forward’s shot to divert the ball narrowly wide.
Accrington eventually broke the deadlock on 49 minutes through captain Shaun Walley.
A through ball from the right-hand side somehow evaded the Tranmere back line and found its way to the 37-year-old on the edge of the area, who cut back on his left to fire home.
A penalty shout for the home side moments later brought the Prenton Park crowd to life, but the team could not respond despite threatening to equalise for the remainder of the contest, Omari Patrick’s close-range effort in injury time the closest Rovers came to snatching a point.
Chants of “we want Adkins out” echoed around the ground as the full-time whistle approached and in the end, the Prenton Park faithful got their wish.
Two hours after Adkins and his players left the pitch to chorus of boos, Tranmere announced the 59-year-old had left the club by mutual consent.
Chairman Mark Palios said: “Compared to the optimism at the start of the season we both acknowledge our league position is disappointing and that football is a results business.
“As a consequence, we have sadly both come to the conclusion that a change of Manager will give the team the best chance of making the most of the remaining 13 games.
“I don’t need to tell you that Nigel is a thoroughly decent man whose work ethic, commitment and professionalism through a very difficult period has been clear to see.
“He leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.”
The result saw Tranmere’s winless run stretch to 10 games.
Whoever takes over from Adkins will take the reins with Rovers just two points above the relegation places in 22nd as the club approaches the business end of the season.
(Featured image by Alamy Images under agreed licence)
