A second half goal from Andy Booth ended Tranmere's Play Off hopes at the Galpharm Stadium.

There was one change to the side that lost against Nottingham Forest, with the suspended Paul McLaren being replaced by Ben Chorley and Antony Kay moving into midfield. Youth Team striker Terry Gornell was named among the substitutes for only the second time with Steve Davies missing out through injury.

The first ten minutes failed to produce a shot on goal, though Rovers had a couple of early attacks which ended with a poor final ball

Chorley's goalbound shot from a Chris Shuker free kick was blocked by David Mirfin on 15 minutes while Malvin Kamara narrowly failed to get on the end of an Andy Booth flick on right in front of Danny Coyne's goal.

The scrappy play continued from both sides. Kay failed to bring the ball under sufficient control in order to shoot from the edge of the area and Kamara wasted a breakaway chance for the hosts with a poor first touch.

The first real chance came on 32 minutes. A good interchange of passes on the left saw Ian Moore play a through ball to Shuker inside the area and the winger's shot - which was on course for the bottom right corner - was well saved by Matt Glennon.

A Moore flick on from a Shuker cross almost allowed Chris Greenacre to nip in at the far post on 40 minutes, but Glennon was first to the ball and gathered at the second attempt.

The last shot of the half came from Steve Jennings, with the midfielder firing at Glennon on the volley from 25 yards.

A Booth header forced Coyne into a save on 48 minutes while Moore headed over from a Shuker cross in front of the Rovers fans.

Ian Goodison positioned himself excellently to block Danny Schofield's low shot on 55 minutes and Coyne saved Robbie Williams' right foot shot soon after.

However, the home side's next attack on 61 minutes brought the game's first goal. Schofield cut through the Rovers defence and though his shot was saved by Coyne, Booth was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.

The visitors pressed forward forcing a couple of corners in quick succession as they looked to keep their season alive.

A goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Greenacre on 71 minutes but he was unable to turn it goalwards and the danger was cleared.

A double substitution saw Sherriff and Moore replaced by John Mullin and Craig Curran on 76 minutes, while Coyne kept Rovers in the game with a fine save to deny Schofield on 78 minutes after the substitute had been sent clean through.

Tranmere looked for a way back into the game but as news filtered through that Leeds had taken the lead at Millwall, promotion hopes finally slipped away.

Referee: Steve Bratt

Yellow cards: Nathan Clarke (75)

Away support: 491

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