Tranmere Rovers secured a deserved point at Cambridge United with a 0-0 draw. Cambridge, who came into the game having won their last three home games, were under pressure from Rovers for large parts, but neither side could find a break through.
Manager Micky Mellon handed starts to Zoumana Bakayogo and Mark Ellis, with the pair replacing injured duo Liam Ridehalgh and Sid Nelson.
An early overhead kick from Cambridge was the first opportunity of the game, going over the cross bar in the first 60 seconds, but it was Tranmere who controlled possession for the opening ten minutes, James Norwood and Connor Jennings showing positive early signs in attack.
Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies collided with Jabo Ibehre, after a long distance shot from David Amoo, rebounded in the Cambridge man’s path, but fortunately our captain for the game, in the absence of Steve McNulty, was able to continue.
Tranmere were playing with confidence with David Perkins in particular seeing plenty of the ball as the visitors looked to find a way through a resilient home defence.
Manny Monthe nearly did just that with a long ball upfield, looping over the United defence for Norwood to run onto, but a last ditch by George Taft prevented the striker from putting an effort on goal.
Norwood did get his chance in the 29th minute, meeting a cross from the left hand side to direct a header on goal, but it straight into the grateful hands of Dimitar Mitov.
Tranmere nearly gifted Cambridge with a goal as Ibehre was put through on goal by a poor back pass, but a strong save from Davies prevented the striker with a certain goal.
The half-finished with Cambridge putting on the pressure but the score at the interval was 0-0.
The second half started with Rovers shooting towards the vocal away crowd, as Kieron Morris had the half’s first chance, hitting a half volley wide of the mark.
Tranmere were growing in confidence, Norwood perfectly timed a run to meet Perkins through ball but was unable to make clean contact on his half volley.
Manager Mellon made his first change of the game in the 65th minute, Jonny Smith replacing fellow winger Pringle in a like for like change.
The Bristol City loan man was looking a threat for TRFC, as he started to make direct runs at the full back Harrison Dunk.
The second change came in the form of Adam Buxton, again a like for like change, as Jake Caprice left the field of play.
However, the game finished 0-0 and Tranmere now move on to Tuesday night’s game at Port Vale.
Tranmere: Davies, Caprice (Buxton 80), Ellis, Monthe, Bakayogo, Pringle (Smith 65), McCullough, Perkins, Morris, Jennings, Norwood: Unused subs: Pilling, Mullin, Gilmour, Banks, Dagnall.
Attendance: 4872, 629 away