Tranmere Rovers 2

Curran (29), Edds (56)

Bristol Rovers 0

Rovers slipped to defeat at Prenton Park this afternoon, conceding a goal in each half in a game in which they never really got going.

Too many passes went astray in the opening period, and though there was an improvement after the break, they never really put enough pressure on Tranmere's back line and failed to really test home keeper Luke Daniels.

Tranmere full back Shaleum Logan had the game's first shot, but his second minute effort drifted high over Mikkel Anderson's crossbar.

Mark Wright almost got on the scoreshet for Rovers with five minutes gone, but his shot from a Jeff Hughes cross was well saved by goalkeeper Luke Daniels.

Andersen failed to hold a shot from Ian Thomas-Moore and the ball squirmed away from him and behind for a corner, while Ian Goodwin powered a header just wide of the target from Zoumana Bakayago's cross from the left.

With 29 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead through Craig Curran. The frontman picked the ball up from a throw on the left and was allowed to advance to the edge of the area where he unleashed a ferocious left foot drive that beat Andersen and ended up in the top corner of the net.

In response Rovers forced two quick corners and Steve Elliott headed wide from the second of Stuart Campbell's deliveries.

Terry Gornell hit a shot over the bar in another Tranmere attack while Wright did the same at the other end, but Rovers ended the half knowing that an improvement would be needed after the break if they were to take something from the game.

That improvement seemed to be on its way as Paul Trollope's side made a bright start to the second period, but they failed to test goalkeeper Luke Daniels in the opening ten minutes of the half.

Chris Lines powered a header against the crossbar, but Rovers were then caught on the break on 56 minutes when Gareth Edds was found in space on the edge of the box and fired a low shot past Andersen to double his side's lead.

The second goal gave the home side the confidence they seemed to have lacked in the opening period and they went close to adding a third goal.

Curran headed straight at Andersen and Edds went close with two efforts that drifted wide of the target.

Carl Regan did well to clear a Thomas-More effort off the line and Terry Gornell spurned an easy chance to get on the scoresheet when he headed straight at Andersen

Stuart Campbell's curling shot, borne out of frustration, drifted wide of the upright, but Rovers did go close to pulling a goal back when Chris Lines saw is shot blocked by a packed home defence and Regan hit the rebound over the top.

Shaleum Logan headed straight at Andersen in time added on, by which time Rovers were reduced top ten men as Steve Elliott had to leave the pitch following a head injury.

Andy Williams saw a powerful drive saved by Daniels before the end, but it was the first time the keeper had really been tested all afternoon.

Team: Mikkel Andersen, Carl Regan, Pat Baldwin, Steve Elliott, Aaron Lescott (Dominic Blizzard, 82), Mark Wright (Ben Swallow,65), Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Jeff Hughes, Chris Dickson (Darryl Duffy, 65), Andy Williams

Substitutes: Danny Coles, Byron Anthony, Charlie Reece, Rhys Evans

Yellow cards - Lescott, Hughes

Tranmere Rovers: Luke Daniels, Shaleum Logan, Ian Goodison, Ash Taylor, Zoumana Bakayogo, Gareth Edds, Paul McClaren, John Welsh, Ian Thomas-Moore, Terry Gornell, Craig Curran

Substitutes: Aaron Cresswell, Joe Collister, Josh Macauley, Michael Ricketts, Charlie Barnett, Ryan Fraughan, Chris Shuker

Attendance: 4,755

Away fans: 307

Referee: Mr J Singh