STOP giving away penalties and breaking bones, says Tranmere Rovers' manager Ray Mathias, who is anxious to keep the Prenton Park club on track for a place in the Nationwide League Division Two end-of-season promotion play-offs.

Rovers, who currently sit seventh in the table, one place short of the coveted top six, hope to maintain their challenge on Saturday, when they travel to meet Cheltenham, kick-off 3pm (writes Stuart Hughes).

But Mathias is concerned that Rovers tighten up at the back - and avoid broken bones.

Last Saturday, Rovers conceded their third penalty over the holiday period and new central defender Tyrone Loran broke a bone in his face to join two of his team mates on the calcium deficient list.

A tackle by Graham Allen against Notts County's Darren Caskey resulted in a 2-2 draw just before Christmas.

Oldham were given a 2-1 win on New Year's Day after Gareth Roberts was judged to have fouled Wayne Andrews in the box. This meant Oldham didn't need the help of ex-Rovers' captain Clint Hill - which was lucky for the Latics, as the Globe misdiagnosed his broken leg in the January 1 issue.

And on Saturday a rash tackle on Colchester's Adrian Coote by Loran gave the home team the equaliser when Rovers looked favourite to take all three points.

Mathias said: "Any sort of pushing or pulling and the referees are going to pull you up for it and we've got to make sure that doesn't happen to us in the box."