TRANMERE ROVERS 0-1 STOCKPORT COUNTY

Ten-man Tranmere Rovers crashed to their ninth league defeat of the season after a Carl Baker penalty condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Prenton Park on Monday night.

It was the Merseyside clubs first fixture since the dismissal of manager John Barnes and assistant Jason McAteer on Friday, with long-term physio Les Parry taking charge of the side as Rovers looked to recover from a disastrous start to the campaign.

The former Liverpool players lasted just twelve games with the Birkenhead club, and left Tranmere in 22nd place in League One with just 7 points from eleven games.

Another former Red, Gary Ablett, took his Stockport County side to Prenton Park and was able to return to Cheshire with all three points after a second half penalty won the game for his team.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the first half, and had numerous chances to take the lead as Gareth Edds and Terry Gornell wasted good chances, though County keeper Owain fon Williams was in good form as he kept Tranmere at bay.

Parry's side were enjoying success down the wings as full-backs Shaleum Logan and Zoumana Bakayogo, who was making his debut, were able to whip balls into the box at regular intervals, but Rovers three-pronged attack were unable to take advantage.

County had chances of their own as Baker, Greg Tansey and James Vincent all came close, with the latter forcing a good save from Tranmere stopper Luke Daniels, on loan from West Brom.

Tranmere had shown signs of improvement from the form which saw them hammered 5-0 at Millwall recently, but they were still lacking bite up in attack.

The second half saw the away side take control of the game, enjoying large portions of possession, though like their opponents, Stockport were unable to fashion clear openings.

Baker looked the most dangerous man on the pitch and was able to work himself behind the Rovers defence on the hour mark but he dragged a shot just wide of the far post.

However, just five minutes later the deadlock was broken as a long ball from Fon Williams deflected off a Tranmere head and sent Vincent through one-on-one with the keeper. After trying to take it round Daniels, Vincent fell over the former Shrewsbury man. A penalty was awarded and Daniels was sent off.

Parry was forced to bring off Gornell so he could send 17-year-old Joe Collister on to deputise in goal. The youngsters first call of duty was to take the ball out of the back of the net after Baker had soundly beaten him from the spot.

For the final 25 minutes Tranmere pressed for an equaliser, with Craig Curran having two good chances with headers and Ian Thomas-Moore firing just wide with a snap shot from outside the area.

Despite the late push from the hosts the game ended 1-0 and Stockport celebrated a result which takes them up seven places into 13th, while Tranmere remain second from bottom, just two points clear of Southampton with comfortably the worst goal difference in the division.

Rovers chairman Peter Johnson will no doubt be looking to fill the vacant managerial position at Prenton Park as soon as possible, and on this performance it'll have to be an experienced coach who can fill the Tranmere dressing room with the confidence they are clearly lacking.

Teams:

Tranmere: (4-3-2-1) Daniels, Logan, Goodison, Broomes, Bakayogo, Edds, McLaren, Mahon (Welsh 63), Curran (Shuker 81), Gornell (Collister 66), Thomas-Moore.

Stockport: (4-1-4-1) Fon Williams, Mullins, Huntington, Raynes, Rose, Bridcutt, Vincent, Tansey, Baker, Poole, Thompson (Johnson 83).

Attendance: 5,645