INTERIM manager Andy Crosby praised Tranmere's togetherness after they boosted their survival hopes with a first away win for five months.

Josh Hawkes converted a second-half penalty to clinch a 1-0 win at second-placed Bradford.

Their second consecutive win lifted Rovers six points clear of the relegation zone and maintained their unbeaten run under Crosby.

He said: “Every single one of them is giving everything. They care about the future of this football club and it’s in our hands.

“We were penned in and they were the better team. But did they create a lot of chances?

“Our defensive numbers in the four games we’ve played now are really good. We suffered together.

“The squad collectively have come to Bradford and collected a really good three points.”

Substitute Harvey Saunders won the penalty after catching out Jack Shepherd on the byline.

“We made the change at half-time because the intensity of their pressure was brilliant and we needed an out,” added Crosby.

“Harvey has got pace and stretches the game, and puts their back three under a different bit of doubt.”

The game was held up for 12 minutes for a medical emergency involving a supporter.

Crosby said: “I hope the person who unfortunately had the health issue is OK and that’s the most important thing.

“But the game was obviously stopped for a long period of time and it would have been easy to lose concentration when it restarted.

“But we restricted them to very little. They’ve been on an amazing run at home with 10 wins on the trot and haven’t conceded a goal.”

Bradford would have gone level on points with leaders Walsall with another victory. They had chances through Richie Smallwood, George Lapslie and Jamie Walker, but have now lost back-to-back games.

Manager Graham Alexander was unhappy with referee Thomas Parsons over the penalty incident.

He said: “I think we deserved to win because we had control of virtually the whole game. We had some brilliant chances that we should score.

“Unfortunately, a decision went against us that was a wrong one. I’ve watched it back and Jack has played the ball.

“But I wasn’t surprised it was given after viewing the first half.

“Sometimes as players you have to assess the earlier decisions of officials and try and play accordingly. Although, I don’t know how you can do that and not compete.

“It’s not a penalty, but there were things in the first half when we were getting booked and the same challenges by the opposition are not getting the same treatment.

“That was harsh on our players. But I’ve been in to see the referee and he’s given his explanation and I thank him for that.

“I don’t believe it’s a game where we should admonish ourselves too much. A lot of the performance was good.”