TRANMERE manager John Aldridge admitted his side had enjoyed a large slice of luck in beating Blackburn Rovers at Prenton Park.

But the former Liverpool goal ace felt they were due some good furtune and also picked out keeper Joe Murphy for special praise.

Murphy produced heroics to keep a punchless Rovers attack at bay and the combination proved to be a winner for Tranmere.

"We rode our luck a bit in the second half," said Aldridge. "But a lot of teams have had 'get out of jail free cards' against us.

"Blackburn have had a go but don't forget we had some chances ourselves.

"And I don't want the lad to get carried away but Joe Murphy was absolutely fantastic. "But, if anyone wants to sign Joe, they will find it very difficult to get him. He has a contract here for three and a half years.

"He was outstanding for us today."

Aldridge's side have bounced back from the disappointment of defeat at Wembley by winning two League games this week but the Prenton Park boss had some sympathy for Rovers.

"I'm disappointed we didn't keep a clean sheet but a goal was the least Blackburn deserved after the way they came here and played for Tony Parkes," he added.

"When you have quality players, like Blackburn have, you expect them to have a certain part of the game.

"To win 2-0 would have flattered us but 2-0 flattered them when we met earlier in the season.

"We had more than our share of luck but I would've settled for 1-0, 2-1, anything after the week we've had with all the travelling and everything else.

"The players have shown tremendous character."

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