A goalkeeping error by David Gregory was the sole difference between two of the National League’s promotion chasers as Tranmere made it nine home wins on the spin and moved up to second in the table.
Despite a gutsy display from the high-flying Ravens and a flurry of late chances they succumbed to a narrow defeat that on the balance of play was just about a fair reflection of the game.
Naming an unchanged side from the draw with Maidstone United, Neil Smith set up his Bromley side with the clear goal of keeping the game tight and hoping to pick Tranmere off on the counter. However for much of the first half Bromley found themselves on the back foot as the home side dictated the tempo of the game.
As early as the second minute James Norwood sent out a warning to the Bromley backline, his deflected drive flashing narrowly past Gregory’s right hand post.
On the quarter hour Connor Jennings worked space in the middle of the park before seeing his shot from distance beat Gregory but go the wrong side of the post.
With Bromley restricted to long balls to an increasingly isolated Brandon Hanlan it meant possession was being turned around all too frequently with it seeming only a matter of time before Tranmere broke the deadlock.
Indeed the home side should have taken the lead in the 27th minute; Adam Buxton’s quick free-kick found Norwood in open space in the penalty area but the livewire striker poked his effort wide with only Gregory to beat.
Completely against the run of play Bromley nearly punished Tranmere for their prolifigacy in front of goal. Following a Bromley corner a loose ball fell to Luke Wanadio on the edge of the Tranmere penalty area but his curling effort was expertly tipped away by Scott Davies.
That was to be as good as it got for Bromley as Tranmere promptly scored from their next attack, albeit the goal was completely of Bromley’s own making.
A long ball from Buxton was misjudged by Ben Chorley and as the ball skimmed off his head Gregory could only fumble the ball allowing Jennings to steal in and tap the ball into an empty net.
The goal was no more than Tranmere deserved but the manner in which Bromley conceded it was unforced and disappointing.
The second half saw a positive move by Neil Smith as he subbed Waandio for Omar Bugiel changing the formation to 4-4-2 and ensuring a sterner question was asked of the Tranmere defence.
What unfolded was a more even second half and one in which Bromley could count themselves a tad unlucky to not grab a share of the spoils.
In the opening minutes of the half both sides went close as both Norwood and Hanlan went close for either side directing their efforts straight into the arms of the respective custodians.
On the hour mark, a delightful through ball from Jennings released an on rushing Ollie Norburn but he failed to test Gregory instead placing his shot wide of the post.
With chances at a premium it was only in the last five minute of the game that Bromley truly threw caution to the wind working two opportunities that on another day may have reaped rewards.
Firstly a Frankie Sutherland’s free kick caused mayhem in the Tranmere penalty area and with the ball only being cleared as far as an unmarked George Porter, the forward’s drive through a crowd of legs produced a brilliant reaction block by Davies.
When Norwood missed another guilt edge opportunity in injury time to wrap up proceedings it allowed Bromley time to work one final opportunity to seek parity.
Following a long throw in, Louis Dennis managed to squirm his way into the penalty area and get off a shot that Davies could only parry as far as Josh Rees but the midfielder could only volley the ball over the bar when well set.
In truth it was all too little too late from Bromley and the performance moreso posed questions about whether the approach was too conservative over the 90 minutes.
On the flip side Tranmere are the in-form side in the league and it was always going to prove a tough ask to return from Birkenhead with any points.
Neil Smith’s side have a short turnaround to their next game in the shape of another big test, away from home, in the form of 3rd place Aldershot Town on Tuesday night. Whilst the Tranmere performance shows Bromley have the quality to contain the best sides in the league, they will have to be on top form to come back from Hampshire with a point or more.
Tranmere Rovers: Davies, Buxton, Sutton, McNulty, Ridehalgh, Ginnelly (Tollitt 69), Harris, Norburn (Hughes 88), Jennings, Cook, Norwood
Subs not used: Taylor, Clarke, Mangan
Bromley: Gregory, Woolfenden, Holland, Chorley (R.Johnson 65), Sterling, Wanadio (Bugiel 45), Raymond (Sutherland 81), Rees, Porter, Dennis, Hanlan
Subs not used: D.Johnson, Higgs,
Goal scorers / Time of goal: Tranmere: Jennings (36)
Referee: Mr M Donohue
Attendance: 5,536