TRANMERE manager Micky Adams had mixed emotions after watching his side bow out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Rovers were knocked out of the competition in the semi-final,  following a 2-2 draw against Walsall at Prenton Park, with the Saddlers coming out on top after a penalty shoot-out.

Max Power and Kayode Odejayi had put Rovers two goals to the good at half time, but second half strikes by Walsall duo Antony Forde and Michael Cain forced a shoot-out in which the visitors progressed in to the Northern area final.

Fon Williams saved a spot-kick from Walsall substitute Ashley Grimes, but Liam Ridehalgh hit the crossbar and 'keeper Richard O'Donnell saved Marc Laird's effort to ensure Walsall went through, winning 5-4 on penalties.

The manager said: "So close. I've been on the end of shoot-outs and won them and on the other end as well.

“I thought it was a heroic performance from the group of lads against a very good side.

“Walsall were clearly the favourites coming into the game but I think we've shown tonight what we're all about.

“We need to take all the positives forward into our league campaign.

"We had a two goal advantage and if there's one criticism then we went negative in the second half and tried to protect the lead and you can't do that against a good side.

Once they equalised we had our best spell as the shackles were off again.

“There's perhaps a lesson to be learnt that we don't need a bit of adversity or the opposition to score for us to come out and play."

Adams made two changes to the side which began the FA Cup tie at Oxford United on Saturday.

Kayode Odejayi replaced the cup-tied Shamir Fenelon up front while James Rowe came in to replace Calaum Jahraldo-Martin who was named a substitute.