...BUT BOSS HIT WITH NEW O'CONNOR SETBACK

Rovers manager Andy Crosby was left ‘disappointed’ after being knocked out of the FA Cup but insisted that he was proud of his team’s performance after Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Stockport County - the highest-ranked side in the competition’s first round.

- By OWEN LINNETT

Rovers looked the stronger team in the first half, but the Hatters broke the deadlock through Jack Diamond just 10 minutes after the break, before Omari Patrick equalised with a first-time deflected volley in the 71st.

Just moments later Oliver Norwood produced a spectacular free-kick from the left-sided touchline to restore the visitors’ lead, with Nathan Lowe's lob putting the game beyond Tranmere’s reach in added time.

In contrast to previous games, the Super Whites had an abundance of good chances to score throughout the match and pleased Crosby with the way they kept the ball.

He said: “I thought elements of our game today were a step forward in terms of how we got control in the buildup, and we looked a team who played with far more control than before today - which is what I want us to try and do.

“They've got a really good squad of players; they're top of League One for a reason and we are looking for that level of consistency in our own performances.”