5 PM CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH FOR COUNTY ..........

It has been an annus horribilis for Stockport County, the club have massive financial problems, their budget is non existent and a swift return to Division 2 has been on the cards almost all season. County have collected just two points from their last twelve starts, recording just two wins on home soil all season, last two matches alone here at Edgeley Park have seen nine goals conceded and the end of the campaign cannot come quickly enough.

Tranmere gave themselves a lifeline last week and received a further and massive boost in midweek, with Hartlepool being deducted three points which throws the North East side back into the relegation mix (appeal pending) and gives the visitors a real chance of survival with all three points today.

The visitors are a big physical team who will match up well against County's pick and mix of youngsters and those a little too long in the tooth. Rovers caused Brentford problems especially early doors just three weeks ago, they were perhaps unlucky to lose that night and have since earned a point at Colchester and beaten highflying Millwall, so arrive in a positive frame of mind and hungry for the points. It is true that they are much happier at Prenton Park, where a number of top sides have been put to the sword this season, but they will have some 3,000 travelling fans behind them today and with County's loyal and long suffering supporters not in a rush to suffer another afternoon of humiliation, it should feel like a home fixture for Rovers.

Tranmere will have on loan Andy Robinson available again today, he scored against the Lions and on a going day, is way too good to play at this level , as a local lad he is determined to help Rovers stay up in this, his final start for the club. Home boss Gary Abblett also has strong association with the Wirral (Tranmere) area having been born and raised in Liverpool and spending some 15 years playing for both Liverpool and Everton. Whilst I would not go as far as to say he would not mind his team losing, I suspect another home defeat might not be quite as hard to take as the previous fourteen !

If Exeter City were to lose at home to Huddersfield Town, Rovers could survive with a point, but that would be cutting things very fine and City are very strong on home soil. Town are playoff bound and might at some stage have to turn their thoughts to next week, so best chance for Rovers is to get the three points and hope that City or Hartlepool drop points.

Before anyone writes and says that Huddersfield can still claim an automatic promotion spot, that is true, but they would have to win by 4 goals, hope that Leeds and Charlton both lose and that Millwall and Swindon draw their game ! I make that a circa 5000-1 chance , maybe a shade less, which puts their "chance" into perspective.

Tranmere -0.75 goals asian line 1.84 +.

Good Luck.