TRANMERE lifted their performance level another notch at St James’ Park but could not prevent the run of League One defeats reaching the half-dozen mark. The best John Barnes’s team could take home from a long trip to the West Country was the small consolation of having a genuine hard luck story to tell. Rovers, looking a little stronger and steadier than in recent weeks, held their own in a tight contest against fellow League One strugglers Exeter City in terms of possession and pressure. They probably did enough to merit a draw and with a break or two and sharper finishing might even have doubled their points tally for the season with a victory. But the important breaks, in the form of ricochets and rebounds inside the six-yard box, went against them for the two untidy goals nudged home by Grecians striker Adam Stansfield on 25 and 54 minutes that settled the outcome. Stansfield’s strikes were not entirely down to luck: Rovers defending was not quite as solid and watchful as it could have been. The improvement on the flimsy resistance shown in more recent games was tangible however and reflected the team changes made by Barnes to stiffen the cover in front of the back-line. Shaleum Logan returned to the side after suspension in a wide midfield role in front of right-back Gareth Edds. Meanwhile Frenchman Seb Carole made his debut on the left, helping to protect Aaron Cresswell. Logan in particular impressed in the advanced role. The 21-year-old, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, may be a specialist full-back but he has a natural inclination to support the attack and did so to positive effect. The home side struggled to cope with his quick and enterprising raids down the right in the opening 20 minutes. If striker Ian Thomas-Moore had been able to make more of a couple of opportunities when the visitors were on top, then the contest might have taken a different course. The home side’s confidence was, after all, hardly less fragile than Tranmere’s. This victory was Exeter’s first of the season at St James’ Park and goals had been hard to come by for the team that climbed out of League Two last season. No wonder a relieved manager Paul Disley admitted afterwards: “We needed that.” In fairness both teams played some neat and attractive passing football that suggested the potential for better things to come. But both lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the field. It was an afternoon of contrasting fortunes for the two teenage goalkeepers on view. | 
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