TRANMERE ROVERS 2, ALDERSHOT 0

ALDERSHOT Town’s play-off destiny was left in their own hands after defeat on Merseyside last Saturday.

There wasn’t much to choose between the two sides, but in-form Tranmere exposed Aldershot’s inconsistency in clinical fashion as they took two chances in the final quarter. It highlighted the apparent gulf in class between Gary Waddock’s side and the genuine National League promotion contenders.

“I thought we did very well until they scored and then mistakes have cost us dearly yet again,” said manager Waddock, who saw his team spurn a couple of opportunities while the game was still goalless. “Ifs, buts and maybes, that’s been the story all season.

“We limited them and had moments where we silenced their crowd, but once they scored they showed their experience in managing the game.”

The visitors’ limited game-plan of containment and counter-attack appeared to be working well until the 71st minute, but in truth the Shots had done little to suggest they might snatch a result.

Will Evans’ eight-yard snap shot was cleared off the line by Jeff Hughes, but, in James Norwood, Rovers had a dash of match-winning quality.

His two first-half efforts brought fine saves from the ever-impressive Lewis Ward, as did an angled drive from Andy Cook.

The introduction of Larnell Cole made a real difference and the substitute’s superb pass led to Tranmere breaking the deadlock.

Jim Kellermann lost out in a 50/50 challenge and the ball squirted free to Cole, who burst forward before bypassing three defenders with a deft reverse pass which sent Norwood through to slot home under Ward.

Ten minutes later, Tranmere led 2-0. Ollie Norburn lofted a seemingly harmless high ball out of defence, but Callum Reynolds’ back-header fell short and Cook muscled his way in to skip around the diving Ward and set up Norwood for a simple tap-in.

In the final seconds, Cheye Alexander stretched to clear Jay Harris’s shot off the line and Ward parried Cole’s follow-up. A three-goal defeat would have been harsh on Aldershot, but there is no doubt they were well beaten.

Tranmere: Davies; Buxton, Sutton, McNulty, Ridehalgh; Tollitt (L Cole 44), Norburn, Hughes, Jennings; Cook (Harris 84), Norwood (Mangan 90). Subs not used: Taylor, Traore. Booked: Jennings.

Aldershot: Ward; Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Kinsella; McDonnell, Oyeleke; McQuoid, Kellermann (McClure 75), Taylor (Fenelon 62); Kabamba. Subs not used: J Cole, Gallagher, Fowler.

Referee: Alan Young.

Attendance: 5,444 (242 away).