Tranmere Rovers 2 Stockport County 1

Last updated : 27 January 2009 By Footymad Previewer
A goal apiece in stoppage time failed to alter the final result as Tranmere picked up three precious points with a 2-1 victory over Stockport County.

It was one-way traffic at Prenton Park as County defended desperately until finally falling behind in the 57th minute.

Tranmere went on to record their tenth home win and step over their opponents in the top half of the table.

There was not a shot at goal for the first 18 minutes and then Tranmere looked in vain for a penalty as County skipper Michael Raynes clashed with Ryan Shotton in the box.

Tranmere stepped up the pace but a deflected Chris Shuker shot was saved by Owain Fon Williams.

A Steve Jennings strike went off a defender for a corner and then Ian Moore blasted over from ten yards.

It continued to be all Tranmere but Charlie Barnett missed the target after a neat interchange with Shuker on 27 minutes.

Ian Goodison was cautioned for a poor challenge on Carl Baker in a rare County attack.

The visitors could not get in a blow at Danny Coyne throughout the first period, but opposite number Williams saved neatly from Shuker on 33 minutes and did even better to deny Ed Sonko seven minutes later.

It was much the same in the second half with the visitors defending desperately, but they came unstuck on 57 minutes when Gareth Edds headed in a Shuker corner for only his second goal.

County sent on Oli Johnson after 64 minutes to try to bring some life to their performance but Tranmere continued to dominate.

The visitors managed their first shot on 69 minutes but Carl Baker was wayward from 20 yards, before Tommy Rowe headed just over following a corner.

Moore doubled the home lead with a penalty in added time after he was brought down by sub Greg Tansey.

Stockport pulled a goal back with the last kick by Raynes during a scramble after a Rowe corner.