Summary

  • Ollie Banks' long-range strike seals first-leg victory for Tranmere

  • Forest Green played 75 minutes with 10 men following Gunning red card

  • Forest Green (5th) finished one point above Tranmere (6th)

  • Tranmere bidding to win successive promotions

  • Forest Green have never reached third tier before

  • Second leg at The New Lawn on Monday (19:45 BST)

  • Winner to face Mansfield or Newport at Wembley

  1. Here come the players...published at 19:44 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    Tranmere are taking part in their seventh Football League play-off campaign, and their first since 2005.

    The atmosphere at Prenton Park is lively, as the players emerge on to the field.

  2. When they met in the league this term...published at 19:42 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    The Gloucestershire club won both league games against Tranmere this season, enjoying a 3-1 victory at home in October and a 1-0 win away in April.

  3. Forest Green's season so farpublished at 19:38 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    Mark CooperImage source, Rex Features

    Mark Cooper's side began the campaign with a fine unbeaten run that stretched all the way to 13 October.

    Their form dipped up and down over the winter, but four consecutive wins in April were the key to ensuring they finished comfortably in the play-off zone.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:36 BST 10 May 2019

    #bbcefl

    As ever, you can have you say on tonight's action via #bbcefl on social media.

    Which of these two sides are you backing to get to Wembley, and why?

  5. Listen via BBC radiopublished at 19:34 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19@45 BST)

    As well as this live text coverage, you can also listen live to this game on BBC local radio, if you're in either the Merseyside or the Gloucestershire areas. Enjoy the game!

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  6. Doidge 'glad to be out' of Boltonpublished at 19:33 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    Media caption,

    Christian Doidge: Forest Green Rovers striker on Bolton Wanderers exit and play-off bid

    If Forest Green make it through the League Two play-offs this month, they will play Bolton in the third tier next season.

    That could see a quick reunion with Wanderers for Forest Green striker Christian Doidge, whose previously-agreed move to the North West collapsed earlier this season after an initial loan, amid Bolton's off-field struggles.

    The 26-year-old has been speaking to BBC Points West for the first time since that saga ended with his return to Gloucestershire and good form with Forest Green. He starts tonight.

  7. How Tranmere reached this pointpublished at 19:31 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    James NorwoodImage source, Rex Features

    After their return to the English Football League last summer, Tranmere found their best form in February and March, winning seven games in a row to propel them in to promotion contention.

    Four games without a win at the end of the regular campaign - including April's home loss to tonight's opponents Forest Green - ruled them out of a top-three spot, but they secured their play-off place with a game to spare as they drew with Bury last Tuesday.

  8. RECAP: Newport 1-1 Mansfieldpublished at 19:25 BST 10 May 2019

    League Two play-off semi-final first leg

    Newport striker Padraig AmondImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    The play-offs got under way last night with a 1-1 draw in the other League Two semi-final.

    Padraig Amond's goal saw Newport County hit back to earn a home draw against Mansfield Town, after CJ Hamilton's fine first-half goal.

    Those two will meet again at Field Mill on Sunday.

    You can read our full match report here.

  9. Team news from Prenton Parkpublished at 19:22 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    (left to right) Forest Green Rovers' Shawn McCoulsky, Reece Brown and Udoka Godwin-MalifeImage source, Rex Features

    Both sides had fully-fit squads to choose from tonight and here are the teams:

    Tranmere XI: Davies, Ridehalgh, Nelson, Monthe, Harris, Norwood, Jennings, Caprice, Perkins, Morris, Banks.

    Subs: Pilling, Dagnall, Gilmour, Buxton, Pringle, McNulty, Smith.

    Forest Green XI: Ward, Shephard, Rawson, Winchester, Grubb, Doidge, Brown, Gunning, McGinley, Mills (c), Mondal.

    Subs: Montgomery, James, Collins, Williams, Digby, McCoulsky, Godwin-Malife.

  10. Postpublished at 19:20 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    Yes, good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Tranmere Rovers v Forest Green Rovers.

    Kick-off in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final is less than half an hour away.

    There was just one point between sixth-placed Tranmere and fifth-placed Forest Green in the final table, so this could be tight.

  11. Rovers versus Roverspublished at 19:15 BST 10 May 2019

    Tranmere v Forest Green (19:45 BST)

    A mural on the side of a house near Prenton Park before the start of the matchImage source, Rex Features

    From Vincent Kompany's screamer, to those two incredible comebacks, to the so-called 'full English', it's been a week like no other for football.

    And, while we can't promise to match the drama we've already been treated to, we do have some history for you tonight.

    We've got a team making their debut in the English Football League League play-offs, and another involved in their first EFL play-off campaign for 14 years.

    It's Birkenhead versus Nailsworth. Micky against Mark. Rovers versus Rovers. Let's do this.

    Prenton ParkImage source, Rex