Eric Munn reports from Prenton Park

A FREAK result that saw Tranmere Rovers lose a nine-goal thriller at Prenton Park - and slide from third to eighth position in the Coca Cola League One table - has not weakened boss Brian Little's resolve or belief in his team.

Little confessed he was disappointed with Saturday's 5-4 defeat by promotion rivals Bradford, but said it was a freak result and an unlucky one. Speaking before last night's league match at Huddersfield Town, he said the next few league games couldn't come quickly enough for his side.

"We're not a bad side just because we've lost a game," said Little. "It's a freak result and it's not one that I think will happen overly often.

"We'll dust ourselves down and try and get the right results from our next games - we really have to dig in and believe we are going down the right path."

He added: "A dozen games into the season and it shows what an even division it is. The most important thing is not to overly concern ourselves with how it sits at this moment in time. I would like to think we can improve over the next 12 games."

Tranmere have a tough three weeks against teams that are all within shouting distance of the top of the Coca-Cola League One table.

They travel to Colchester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) before facing Brentford at home the following weekend and Swindon Town on Saturday, November 6.

Rovers were always on the back foot chasing a point in Saturday's game against Bradford after going a goal down in the 33rd minute.

Goals from Ryan Taylor (penalty), a brace from Iain Hume and one from Dave Beresford looked to have salvaged a precious point with the game level at 4-4 with less than 10 minutes remaining, but despite calls from the manager to slow the game and settle for the draw, Bradford were able to find a winning goal two minutes into injury time.

Little said: "Every now and again you get a result that knocks you back a little bit. Whenever you've lost a game of football the next game is always more difficult, but that's something I've learned to deal with. I think all the lads would have played on Sunday afternoon if they could have."