Nigel Adkins was delighted with Tranmere’s second-half performance as his side twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against fellow League Two strugglers Morecambe at Prenton Park.
Goals from Jordan Turnbull and Connor Jennings cancelled out strikes from Ben Tollitt and Adam Lewis as the Shrimps moved out of the relegation places.
The away side took the lead in the 12th minute when Tollitt capitalised on a defensive error to slide the ball home from a narrow angle.
Rovers were level just after the break when Turnbull met a Kieron Morris corner to power the ball home from six yards.
The home side’s joy lasted just two minutes as Lewis’ curling effort from the edge of the area flew straight into the net.
But with 15 minutes remaining, skipper Jennings latched onto a Sam Finley pass to slide the ball home and ensure the spoils were shared.
Adkins said: “I’m disappointed with the draw as we wanted to win the game.
“We had enough chances to win the game and after starting the game well we gifted them a goal, which makes it difficult for us.
“We were shocking in the first half, probably as bad as we’ve been since I’ve been here, but the second half we flipped it around.
“We had more about us after the break and the crowd were great and tried to lift the players as we’re not in a good place right now.
“We need to give the players plenty of credit because the second half, after being really poor in the first half, they have performed much better.
“On another day, with the chances we’ve had, we could have won it, but that second-half performance gives us belief and hope.
“Heading into Christmas everyone has to pull their socks up, they have to graft and have to work hard.”
Morecambe manager Derek Adams has seen his team pick up seven points from their last three away games.
He said: “We were very good in the first half and deservedly went ahead.
“We controlled most of that first half and knew the quality that Tranmere have, then in the second half we gave away a goal quickly after some poor defending from our point of view.
“We got ahead again through Adam Lewis with a wicked ball that went straight into the goal, but we don’t get out quick enough and it becomes 2-2.
“It was a game of two halves and I think while we had the better of the first half, Tranmere had the better of the second.
“Saturday probably comes into that as Tranmere didn’t have a game at the weekend while we had a big FA Cup match which we came through and won, while they’ve rested legs and been able to change things up a bit.”
