Gornell made his début for Tranmere Rovers, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, away to Grimsby Town, in the 2–0 defeat in the League Cup on 12 August 2008. He went on loan to Accrington Stanley in 2008, where he scored four goals in 11 Football League games before returning to Tranmere.
He scored his first Tranmere Rovers goal against Milton Keynes Dons.
Last season he made 22 starts for Rovers, helping himself to 3 goals in the process.