Tranmere Rovers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley at Prenton Park in Sky Bet League 2, despite two red cards for the visitors.
Tranmere ended a six-game losing streak in this league, in their last fixture against Crawley Town.
On 19 minutes, an Accrington free kick was met by Alex Henderson on the right side of the box. He played the ball back across to Josh Woods, whose header hit the crossbar.
Rovers’ only real chance in the first half came in the 35th minute.
James Plant delivered a towering cross from the right. Joe Ironside’s header looped over the crossbar.
On 48 minutes, the visitors took the lead.
Isaac Heath’s high cross from the left found Paddy Madden unmarked in the centre of the 18-yard box.
He guided his header into the left corner of the goal, leaving Tranmere goalkeeper Marko Marosi unable to react.
In the 63rd minute, Accrington’s Luke Butterfield was sent off for a late challenge on Tranmere’s James Plant.
Three minutes later, Tranmere’s Nathan Smith hit the crossbar after he latched on to a header back across goal.
Accrington nearly extended their lead in the 89th minute.
Captain, Shaun Whalley, drove ambitiously into the box from the left side.
His close-range effort clattered off the underside of the crossbar and back into play.
In the 92nd minute, Rovers nearly snatched a late equaliser.
Charlie Whitaker met a cross towards the back left post.
His headed effort forced a fine reaction save from Ollie Wright.
Five minutes into added time, Accrington found themselves reduced to 9 players.
Josh Woods was dismissed after a reckless challenge off the ball.
Tranmere manager Andy Crosby said: “We were more than aware than the challenge that Accrington bring.”
He added: “In the first half, we did not really perform anywhere like we have shown that we have been capable of in the last couple of games.”
This result leaves Tranmere in 17th place in the Sky Bet League 2 table.
Accrington Stanley remain in 13th position.
(Featured image by Ross Parry)
