Tranmere clean sheet gives something to build on – Andy Crosby

Andy Crosby believes Tranmere have something to build on following their 0-0 draw at home to Cambridge.

Rovers have not won any of their last five League Two games.

But Tranmere boss Crosby was pleased with the improvement from last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Walsall.

“There were things that had to be the basis of our performance and they were there,” said the Rovers manager.

“We had to produce the ugly side of the game and I’m pleased we have gone back to that.

“It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves with our injuries, but we stuck to the gameplan.

“The players have done a lot of listening this week to my honest feedback and they took it on board.

“We were after the clean sheet and we got it. It gives us something to build on.

“If you are going to be successful you have to be hard to play against. You can’t turn up and be open in some games and expect the better technical players to produce all the time.

“I am pleased with the clean sheet. That was the biggest thing we talked about this week.

“We have looked open on counter-attacks and transitions in recent games and the main focus of our work was being harder to play against, which we were today.”

Kelland Watts and Ben Purrington were both off-target with efforts for Cambridge midway through the first half while Rovers goalkeeper Joe Murphy produced a good save to keep out Dominic Ball’s header.

Nohan Kenneh had a shot saved and Patrick Brough fired wide as Rovers pushed for a winner in the closing minutes.

Cambridge head coach Neil Harris felt his side had not shown enough threat where they needed it.

“It was all about restarts and second balls today and we have dominated in most of those aspects,” he said.

“We didn’t dominate in the one area that matters to us and that is their penalty area. That is my one gripe, did we do enough with the ball in their half? Did we use it well enough around their penalty area? I don’t think so.

“Tranmere defended their box with real desire and aggression, but the moments we did have to hurt them were woeful.

“The front pair didn’t get the quality of service needed. We are a little bit light at the top end of the pitch. We have to try and get the combinations right creatively. Today it didn’t quite materialise.

“We could have used the ball better in the defensive and midfield lines.

“I’m pleased with how we stood up to their physicality. They were big and strong and they made it really difficult for us.

“They haven’t got near our box all game but they made it tough for us. I take the point but I’m disappointed.”