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Lee Roche played in the centre of defence and with Andy Todd back at Blackburn and David May suspended, even possibly still injured, when we visit Portman Road in six days time that could have been significant.
Twice the Clarets came close to taking the lead in the first quarter of an hour but we finally did after 18 minutes with trialist Kerr scoring the goal. It owed a lot to Matt O’Neill who had started really well down the left hand side and he crossed for Kerr to hammer home from the edge of the box.
We were very much in control for the first half hour but Tranmere started to come back into the game after that and equalised five minutes before the break turning when Alan Navarro converted a left wing cross.
But by half time we were back on top and only some very good defending from the home side prevented us from going in with a half time lead as we pressed forward.
The second half was something more of an even affair with neither side able to create any real chances, that’s certainly how it was until twenty minutes from the end. Then the game turned on its head with five goals in just about a quarter of an hour.
It was Burnley who went back into the lead and O’Neill was again the provider, this time from a long throw in. Neal Trotman got up above the defence to flick it on and Pilkington hit home.
We looked to have seen off any real threat from Tranmere but with just twelve minutes on the clock they drew level after winning a free kick on the right hand side. The kick was floated into our box and Jamie McGuire headed the second equaliser.
We were somewhat unfortunate not to be in front but we soon put that right and went straight down the field and scored again. It all started the same way as the second goal when Trotman won the ball from an O’Neill long throw but this time he was fouled and Damien Hindle scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot.
In front again and 3-2 now with just over ten minutes left, surely we would win this one. It wasn’t to be though and Tranmere scored twice in the next five minutes to go in front for the first time and collect all three points.
The first of the two was a close range effort from McGuire but the winner was a sensational effort from Steven Jennings. With Michael Hale off his line the Tranmere youngster beat him with a shot from just over the half way line.
It was a cruel end to the match and one the Clarets simply didn’t deserve in front of a pitiful crowd that made Turf Moor reserve nights look popular. We had played well with nobody particularly outstanding, it just a good team performance.
Trialist Kerr started well but faded from the game and seemed at times unable to get involved so it looks as though the search for new players continues.
It was also a game spoiled at times by a fussy referee and although the late booking of Hindle was perhaps fair the yellow card given to Danny Pitham for breaking from the wall was ridiculous as was the decision to penalise Lee Roche for a back pass when in fact it was anything but.
But we remain bottom without a solitary point and the next opportunity to get off the mark comes in two weeks time when we entertain Rotherham United.
The teams tonight were:
Tranmere: Russell Howarth, Vaughan (Joe Fowler 72), Carl Tremarco, Paul Linwood, Kevin Gray, Alan Navarro, Jamie McGuire, Stephen Jennings, Dickinson, Paul Robinson (Gerard Scott 62), Paul Brown. Subs: Paul Martin, Phil Palethorpe, Gary Pinch.
Burnley: Michael Hale, Danny Pitham, Lee Roche, Ryan Townsend, Neal Trotman, Marc Pugh, Edward Kerr, Joel Pilkington, Tony Grant, Matt O’Neill, Damien Hindle. Subs not used: Rhys Carpenter, Ross Preston, Tom Ince, Alex Taylor, Darrel Avery.
Burnley's Fixtures and Results