TRANMERE ROVERS 2, ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

(Tranmere win 5-2 on agg)

AN appearance at Wembley in the National League promotion play-off final may have been allowed to slip through their grasp in the first leg, but Aldershot Town’s consolation prize was the pride and plaudits earned from an impressive and spirited second-leg display on Saturday.

The Shots were effectively out of the tie following a humiliating home defeat last Wednesday – and definitely out once Cole Stockton put Rovers 4-0 up on aggregate on 32 minutes – but thereafter staged a rousing comeback which, temporarily at least, had the hosts on the ropes.

It was perhaps inevitable, at the end of a season which delivered much but could

still have brought a whole lot more, that Aldershot were left pondering what might have been, especially following a superb save by Scott Davies to keep out Scott Rendell’s close-range header on 79 minutes.

Had that gone in, and the visitors capitalised on their late momentum at Prenton Park, the outcome could have been different, but Gary Waddock was nonetheless happy: “I’m very proud of them, not only for today but also how they’ve gone about the season,” said the manager. “After the disappointment of Wednesday, it’s massive credit to the players to perform like we did – and barring one unbelievable save this place could have been a bit nervous at the end.

“For us to go toe-to-toe with a big club like Tranmere has been great for us and we’ll come back stronger. We’ve done OK this season, considering where we were a year ago, but this team will only get better.”

Tranmere’s opener came from a classic counter-attack. Matt McClure’s long-range effort was comfortable for Davies and the goalkeeper immediately launched a high ball over halfway. Lois Maynard won a towering flick-on and Stockton stole a yard behind Will Evans, cut inside, and stroked the ball past Jake Cole.

Maynard himself then sliced a shot just past the far post, but Aldershot hit back to equalise in the 43rd minute. Rendell’s quick free-kick found Anthony Straker on the left and the pass back to Bernard Mensah invited him to fire an unerring 30-yard shot across Davies into the far top corner.

Half-time came at the wrong time for the Shots who had found some momentum.

Soon after the restart, Maynard’s header drifted through the goalmouth and onto the upright, and from the resulting corner Cole had to make a fine point-blank save from James Norwood.

Soon, though, Aldershot had the lead on the day as McClure pressurised Jeff Hughes into heading Nick Arnold’s corner into his own net. Forty minutes remained and the Shots, still needing two goals, had a glimmer of hope.

Callum Reynolds had to clear Maynard’s stabbed effort off the line, but Tranmere were living dangerously at the other end. Davies parried a McClure snap shot and then somehow flung himself to claw Rendell’s header off the line.

With Aldershot throwing players forward in desperate attack, Rovers began to play on the counter. It was a frantic finale and in the fifth minute of stoppage time Tranmere rubber-stamped their win.

Stockton and Connor Jennings combined to set up Norwood who swept the ball past Cole to confirm Tranmere’s place at Wembley this Sunday.

There was mutual appreciation at the final whistle, with Rovers fans and management admitting that Aldershot were the best side they had faced this season. Such words will provide solace and motivation as the Shots aim to go at least one step further next season.

Tranmere: Davies; Buxton, McNulty, Ihiekwe, Ridehalgh; Wallace (Mangan 69), Maynard, Hughes; Jennings, Stockton, Norwood. Subs (not used): Cook, Turner, Dunn, Collins. Booked: Norwood.

Aldershot: Cole; Arnold, Evans, Reynolds, Straker; Kanu (Fenelon 73), Gallagher (Kellermann 73), Oyeleke, Mensah; Rendell, McClure. Subs (not used): Alexander, Hyam, Smith. Booked: Arnold.

Referee: Scott Oldham.

Attendance: 10,241 (467 away).

* In the play-off final, Tranmere will meet Forest Green who beat Dagenham 3-1 over two legs in the other semi-final.

ALDERSHOT TN 0, TRANMERE R 3

THE real damage was done when Aldershot capitulated to Tranmere at a packed EBB Stadium last Wednesday.

The Shots went into their home leg boasting the best defence in the National League, while goalkeeper Jake Cole had just scooped the two Player of the Year awards.

But the Aldershot defence looked anything but secure and it was an uncharacteristic mistake by Cole that led to Tranmere’s killer second goal.

In front of 5,614 spectators – easily Aldershot’s biggest crowd of the season – the Shots failed to do themselves justice and by the finish it was Tranmere’s vociferous 896 fans who were chanting “We’re going up.”

With only three minutes gone, the Shots were dealt a hammer blow when Jeff Hughes dispossessed Jim Kellermann and crossed low for Cole Stockton to score with a neat shot.

And with the second half only three minutes old, Cole dropped a routine cross from Liam Ridehalgh and James Norwood was able to almost walk the ball into the net.

Bernard Mensah – again Aldershot’s best player – saw a header loop narrowly over the bar, but the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances.

The bulky Steve McNulty, the man the fans love to hate, got away with some sly tricks, but he was undeniably excellent in Tranmere’s central defence and Aldershot could find no way through.

On 75 minutes, the Shots lost possession as they threw men forward and Norwood, breaking smoothly down the left, played the perfect pass for Stockton to sweep the ball past Cole for his second goal. It left Aldershot needing a miracle at Prenton Park.