Tranmere Rovers

1-2

Millwall

Jones 41

 

Cahill 11

 

 

Harris 16

The FA Cup Sixth Round replay
Prenton Park, Tranmere
16 March 2004

The Londoners beat the Second Division side after early goals from Tim Cahill and Neil Harris were too much for Brian Little's side.

For player-manager Wise the result was a huge boost with the Lions now going through to the last four for the first time since 1937.

"This is the most satisfying result ever for me," Wise said the win was secured.

"This is fantastic. It's great for the fans because the club haven't done anything like this for about 70 years.

"Tranmere gave us a hell of a game though and put us under a lot of pressure. We should have won the game at their place - we shouldn't have been here tonight - but I'm chuffed to bits at the way it went.

"We wanted to win it so badly as a group. We felt we had a chance and did not want to throw it away."

Millwall went two up within fifteen minutes but Gary Jones headed Tranmere back into the game with a goal four minutes before half-time.

"When Tranmere scored it became very difficult and they put a lot of pressure on us - but it's our night.

"I'm enjoying it at Millwall with Ray [Wilkins] and the bunch of lads I've got. They make me smile every morning - have a pop at me and a joke with me.

"I like the atmosphere to be nice - and it is - and I've got a lot of good footballers here as well."

One of those good footballers is Neil Harris. His goal lit up the game and his reaction was understandably up-beat.

He said: "We knew it would be tough but we got the job done for the little man (Wise) and for the fans - and we've got a day out for us.

"I think it's my first goal from outside the box with my left foot in my career - in fact the goals have been a bit slow coming this year for me."

Tranmere boss Brian Little was, as always, dignified and realistic in defeat.

"We made it hard for ourselves by not marking quality players," said Little after the 1-2 defeat at Prenton Park.

"We switched the system but the really good chance we needed in the second half never came.

"We couldn't quite get the game going as much as we would have wanted but I have to say I was delighted with the effort of my players."