Paul Trollope says some Bristol Rovers players will pay with their first-team places if they fail to deliver a strong finish to the season, writes Chris Swift.

The Pirates slipped to their third defeat in four games as a goal in each half saw them go down 2-0 at play-off chasing Tranmere Rovers yesterday.

And Trollope, desperate to avoid a repeat of the slump in results his side suffered at the end of last term, made it clear he was unhappy with some of the performances at Prenton Park.

"We had a belief we could come here and win but we got a performance from some players and not from others," he said.

"The players have been told in no uncertain terms about what is expected between now and the end of the season and we will be looking at them very closely because we want to finish the season strongly.

"If any individuals start easing up then they will find themselves out of the team because we do have options and other possibilities.

"I want players with a desire and a hunger for the final six games. When Tranmere got their second goal, there were a few individuals who were found wanting.

"It frustrates me because we have put in some excellent performances on the road this season. If we could have reached that level again, we could have won this game.

"We have made progress this season but we need to finish strongly to get in the top half, which is where we feel we should be. We are going to put high expectations on ourselves next season because we want to take a big step forward.

"If individuals want to come with us, they are going to have to show it."

Though critical of aspects of his side's display, Trollope also felt the Pirates had little luck with a clutch of important refereeing decisions going against them.

Byron Anthony was penalised for handling for Tranmere's deflected opener – even though the ball appeared to hit his chest.

Darryl Duffy was denied a one-on-one chance by a questionable offside decision, and Craig Disley was controversially booked for diving even though it looked as though he had been brought down by defender Ian Goodison.

"Things certainly didn't go our way," said Trollope.

"We felt we deserved to go in level at half-time but they got a questionable decision for the free kick that led to their goal.

"You only had to see Byron's reaction to tell that it wasn't hand ball.

"We were looking for a way back into the game and Darryl would have had a perfect opportunity. He looked well onside from where I was.

"Craig says he was caught when he went down so that was another contentious decision. I don't want to make a big thing about it, but these little details do change games.

"Sometimes in games things don't go your way and that was certainly the case here.

"Rickie Lambert has scored a few free kicks for us but this time their keeper Danny Coyne made a great save from one and then the rebound popped up straight into his hands.

"We've scored and created a lot of goals this season but this time we lacked a bit of quality and a bit of luck."

The result left Rovers anchored in 14th place ahead of their Good Friday home game against Northampton Town.