Soccer
Alex Bruce pleased with Rotherham’s reaction to half-time team talk
Rotherham boss Alex Bruce praised his side’s reaction after they twice came from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Tranmere at Prenton Park.
The Millers fell behind after 16 minutes when Zane Okoro reacted quickest after Ted Cann had parried Dylan Jones’ shot, firing home from a tight angle.
Rotherham responded strongly after the break and were rewarded six minutes from time when Aaron Nemane forced the ball home at the far post from an Ar’Jany Martha cross.
However, Tranmere restored their lead just three minutes later when Tom Ince’s deflected effort drifted over Cann in the United goal.
But the visitors refused to give up, earning a late penalty which Tom Bradshaw converted in injury time to secure a valuable point.
Millers’ manager Bruce said: “It was a game of two halves. We were nowhere near it in the first half. We didn’t play the ball quick enough, we were lethargic and made silly mistakes.
“There were a few things said at half-time and to be fair to the boys we got a hell of a reaction and we were very good and kept the ball much better.
“The substitutions we made coming on the pitch really pleased me, so in the end, the second half we were much more like it.
“I won’t reveal what was said at half time and there were a few things that needed to be said, but the reaction in the second half was much better and much more like it.
“When you come away from home and have a travelling support like that they expect certain things and we didn’t give them that in the first half, but we were much better in the second half.”
Tranmere boss Darrell Clarke, who has seen his side surrender late leads in his last two matches said: “I’m angry, angry that we didn’t see that game out.
“I don’t want to say too much straight after the game when I’m disappointed for the group.
“We didn’t lose the game but I don’t want hard luck stories to be honest. But we’ve got to be much better seeing those last few minutes out, just kick the ball anywhere.
“The lads have given everything again and played some nice stuff and to not come away with the win, we’ve got to be more clinical to finish off our chances and then we’ve got to see the game out.
“It was a soft penalty, but it is what it is, we take a point and we move on.
“We played some good stuff at times, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we have to swallow it and get on with it.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re winning those games. So it’s a frustrated manager and frustrated players, but only we can sort that out.”
