Tranmere 3 Brentford 1

Last updated : 14 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Brentford crashed to their first defeat of the season against in-form Tranmere Rovers.

The Merseysiders made nearly all the running and could easily of won by a greater margin, but it was not until the 44th minute that Rovers went ahead with Simon Haworth heading home a long throw from Ryan Taylor.

He then struck a fine second goal in the 66th minute, volleying home following a deep cross by Mickey Mellon.

Gary Jones had a couple of bad misses for Rovers, whilst Mellon saw a 79th minute effort blocked on the line. But Jason Price headed Rovers third with a powerful close range effort from a cross by Stuart Barlow.

Despite losing Kevin Gray with a calf injury after only 11 minutes, Rovers superiority was such that it was not until the 77th minute that home keeper John Achterberg was force into a save, by Jamie Fullarton.

The Bees did grab a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Kevin O'Connor headed home a Mike Dobson corner.

"We don't normally defend like that," moaned Bees boss Wally Downes.

"Tranmere used their aerial threat well and will cause problems to many sides. I told my players not to worry too much about our first defeat, it's how they react to the result which counts."

Rovers boss Ray Mathias said: "It was the best performance of the season, there was self-belief and the lads worked hard, it was a great win for us."