TRANMERE Rovers boss Keith Hill admitted they had goalkeeper Joe Murphy to thank after their 0-0 draw with Colchester United.

Murphy made several good second-half saves in the goal-less draw at Prenton Park, denying Mike Folivi, Noah Chilvers and Miles Welch-Hayes.

Tranmere's draw meant that they sealed a League Two play-off place but manager Hill conceded the last few weeks of the season have been tough.

Hill said: "Today, it could have gone a different way. There were a few mistakes, and Joe Murphy has got us out of the proverbial and it could have gone differently.

"I'm a bit subdued after all that, it's been difficult to get over the line.

"We were chasing automatic promotion and the form since Wembley and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final has not been great.

"It has been difficult but we have to come together now. We've sealed our place in the play offs and now we have an opportunity to see what we can do over Morecambe.

"I can't put my finger on why it has been difficult to get over the line. Individually we haven't been great since Wembley.

"The players have enough about them determination wise, we saw that today as they got the draw and the positive draw that was required."

Tranmere are now preparing to face Morecambe in the play-offs.

They are at home in the first leg, which takes place at Prenton Park on Thursday night.

"Now it is a clean slate as far as I am concerned, this is an opportunity to start afresh," added former Bolton and Rochdale boss Hill.

"It has been difficult for the players with the relentless training and playing Tuesday and Saturday.

"Now we have 12 days before the next game and we have that to prepare against a different opposition.

"We're pleased today but there is no question about this, a lot of things need to be improved and it is great we can start that now.

"I want players to take individual responsibility now. We have to improve to be successful in the play-offs, 100 per cent we have to.

"The players have shown that they want the season extended, as they've got to the play-offs.

"Now they need to come together and show a unity, not just the players in the starting 11, and we've seen a bit of that at the moment.

"James Vaughan is back, it's good to have him back but the goals just can't come from one player, they have to come from all over the pitch."