Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon felt his side could have done better to defend the equalising goal Bolton Wanderers scored against his side in the Papa Johns Trophy.
A Wanderers side that had 10 changes made to it from Saturday's win against Peterborough United went behind at Prenton Park thanks to Kieron Morris breaking the deadlock. Paul Lewis added a second for the hosts before half-time.
But Wanderers responded following their poor first half showing and halved the deficit through Kieran Sadlier's classy finish on the turn. And youngster Conor Carty came off the bench to ensure the clash went to penalites.
But Wanderers responded following their poor first half showing and halved the deficit through Kieran Sadlier's classy finish on the turn. And youngster Conor Carty came off the bench to ensure the clash went to penalties.
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Lloyd Isgrove saw his penalty saved as the hosts won 5-4 to claim the extra point for a shootout victory, though Wanderers still top the Northern Group B with four points overall. On reflection, Mellon believes the encounter at Prenton Park was a 'proper game' as he analysed the strikes his side conceded which ensured a share of the spoils.
Mellon told the Tranmere club website: "I thought it was a good game. I thought it was a proper game.
"Sometimes when you play these types of fixtures people don't take them seriously for whatever reason but tonight was a well-contested game.
"We got some young players on to the pitch which gives them some great experience and I can only see positives. We scored some good goals and went 2-0 up at half-time.
"Then we gave away a sloppy goal to give them a glimmer of hope but then I think we settled the game back down again.
"We changed things round a bit and got some bodies off. It looked like it was running out and we have a one-v-one where the goalkeeper makes a save and then we're disappointed to lose a goal right at the death.
"I think, if we're being really hypercritical, there were moments where we could have done better in that goal. But in terms of battling and performance, I couldn't fault them.
"I keep telling everybody how young some of these players are and they're really stepping forward. It's a disappointing one when you lose a goal so late but to then step forward and win on penalties, shooting into their end, it shows a lot of character from the young players."
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