Tranmere Rovers

Scunthorpe 2-1 Tranmere
Richard Hinds scored the winner as Scunthorpe beat Tranmere in the first round of the Carling Cup. Billy Sharp's jinking run and cross was converted by Richie Ryan after 58 minutes to put the Iron in front. Ian Sharps equalised for Rovers three minutes later, tucking away Sam Aiston's cross for Tranmere's first away goal of the season. Hinds scored the winner from a goalmouth scramble before Sharps hit the woodwork with a curling shot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scunthorpe: Musselwhite, Stanton, Crosby, Butler (Corden 74), Williams, Sparrow (Taylor 45), Hinds, Ryan, Beagrie, Sharp, Torpey (Johnson 46). Subs Not Used: Parton, Keogh. Booked: Beagrie. Goals: Ryan 56, Hinds 82. Tranmere: Achterberg, Jackson, Sharps, Goodison, Jennings, Rankine (Bruce 70), Harrison, Roberts, Aiston, Greenacre, Davies (Hume 67). Subs Not Used: Wilson, Whitmore, Linwood. Booked: Rankine, Greenacre. Goals: Sharps 61. Att: 2,738. Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

Stanley swoop for late signings
Accrington launched a pre-deadline swoop to capture Benin international captain Romuald Boco and Tranmere midfielder Paul Brown. Boco, 20, has signed until Christmas from French club Chamois Niortais after impressing while on trial. Brown, also 20, has arrived from Tranmere on a month's loan. Accrington have also signed former Wales and Wrexham keeper Andy Dibble, 40, as player-coach after receiving international clearance. Meanwhile, Reds winger Matt O'Neill has joined Radcliffe Borough on loan.

Summerbee poised to join Tranmere
Tranmere boss Brian Little is keen to offer former Swindon winger Nicky Summerbee a contract as long as his wage demands are not too high. Summerbee, 34, was released by the Robins last month and was invited for a trial with Rovers. Little told the club website: "I'm quite interested in Nicky provided he falls into the wage structure. "He's enjoyed the training. He's done enough to make us be interested and there's no problem with his fitness."

Southend 3-1 Tranmere
Promoted Southend registered their fourth successive win as veteran Shaun Goater grabbed a brace. James Lawson volleyed home from close-range early in the first half to give Southend the lead. Goater increased Southend's lead from the penalty spot midway through the half after Mark Gower had been brought down by Michael Jackson. Delroy Facey pulled a goal back for the visitors early in the second half, but Goater then shot low into the net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southend: Flahavan, Hunt, Edwards, Barrett, Wilson, Gower (Gray 57), Guttridge, Maher, Cole (Eastwood 61), Goater, Lawson. Subs Not Used: Prior, Bentley, Smith. Goals: Lawson 16, Goater 33 pen, 82. Tranmere: Achterberg, Bruce (Jennings 45), Jackson, Goodison, Roberts, Summerbee (Dagnall 77), McAteer (Rankine 45), Harrison, Aiston, Greenacre, Facey. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Whitmore. Booked: Bruce. Goals: Facey 46. Att: 6,691. Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).

Wrexham eye extended Linwood loan
Wrexham hope to secure the services of on-loan Tranmere defender Paul Linwood for a second month. The 21-year-old's original deal expires on Monday, but the Dragons' small squad is still plagued by injuries. Matt Crowell, Jim Whitley (both knee), Shaun Pejic (ligaments) and Lee Roche (hernia) are all long-term injuries. Andy Holt (thigh), Lee McEvilly (ankle) and goalkeeper Mike Ingham (calf) are also currently sidelined, but Ingham hopes to be back this weekend. Midfielder Whitley, who has been out for a year with a mystery knee injury, says he hopes he is finally on the road to recovery. "I'm getting there now and I feel in excellent shape," the 30-year-old told the Daily Post. "I'll spend a day running then a day in the gym, working on my knee and my leg, making sure I'm comfy and can carry on. "It feels great at the moment and hopefully I'll be able to to step things up over the next two or three weeks and maybe join in with the kids at training to see if I'm ok."

Huddersfield 1-0 Tranmere
Danny Schofield struck three minutes from time to snatch victory for Huddersfield against Tranmere. He kept his cool to fire high past John Achterberg as the Terriers continued their good start to the season. They had earlier missed a first-half penalty when Ian Goodison was penalised for handball, but John Achterberg saved Pawel Abbot's weak effort. Tranmere's best chances were both wasted by former Huddersfield loan player Delroy Facey. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huddersfield: Rachubka, Holdsworth, Nathan Clarke, Tom Clarke, Adams, Brandon (Taylor-Fletcher 80), Carss (Hudson 84), Worthington, Schofield, Abbott (Mendes 90), Booth. Subs Not Used: McCombe, Senior. Booked: Carss. Goals: Schofield 87. Tranmere: Achterberg, Bruce, Jackson, Goodison, Roberts, Summerbee, Rankine (Jennings 73), McAteer, Aiston, Greenacre, Facey. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Whitmore, Tremarco, Dagnall. Booked: McAteer. Att: 10,640 Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Tranmere back under-fire Little
Chairman Lorraine Rogers believes Brian Little is still the right man to lead Tranmere into the Championship. Tranmere, who reached the League One play-off semi-finals last season, have won just three of their 13 fixtures so far this season. "My message to the fans is to give Brian their 100% support while he gets us back on track," she said. "It's going to be a tough couple of weeks and it'll be even tougher for the club if we're negative and divided." Rogers met fans on Friday night to help allay fears following the 2-0 home defeat by Scunthorpe. "Even the most loyal supporters are bound to feel disappointment and frustration at times like this," she told the club's official website. "But it was reassuring to hear their loyal support for Brian. "Brian has the experience and the resources and the board and senior management at the club remain convinced that by the end of the season we will be battling it out near the top of the division not the bottom."

Francis stays on loan at Tranmere
Tranmere Rovers manager Brian Little has extended the loan deal of Sheffield United right-back Simon Francis by a further month. Francis, 20, has made a big impression since arriving at Prenton Park in a spell which has seen Tranmere improve. Little's side are unbeaten in eight matches with a run of games that has seen them keep six clean sheets. "Simon has done very well for us and we are delighted he will be with us for another month," said Little.

Tranmere 4-1 Chesterfield
Tranmere came from behind at home to Chesterfield as Sam Aiston's brace earned them three valuable points. Jamie O'Hara's sensational 35-yard volley put the Spireites ahead early on before Rovers levelled when Aiston slotted in Jason McAteer's cross. Aiston put Tranmere ahead soon after with a cool 20-yard finish, before Chris Greenacre got on the scoresheet when Calvin Zola's shot was saved. Stephen O'Leary wrapped it up after more good work from Zola. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Seremet, Raven, Jackson, Sharps, Roberts, Aiston, McAteer (Jennings 68), O'Leary, Tremarco (Harrison 88), Zola (Facey 71), Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Goodison. Goals: Aiston 36, 39, Greenacre 45, O'Leary 65. Chesterfield: Muggleton, Bailey, Blatherwick, Downes, Picken, Niven (Folan 67), Allott, O'Hara, Hall, Larkin (Heath 79), Hurst (Smith 58). Subs Not Used: Kovacs, O'Hare. Booked: Allott. Goals: O'Hara 30. Att: 6,435 Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Tranmere 1-2 Walsall
Loan signing Grant Smith netted twice as relegation-threatened Walsall won their first league game in 2006. The Bristol City midfielder volleyed home just before the break from Andrew Barrowman's pass to put Walsall ahead. Tranmere equalised on 63 minutes when Walsall keeper Andy Oakes could not hold Delroy Facey's shot, allowing Chris Greenacre the chance to stab in. Smith then headed in from close-range, with Oakes saving well from Steve O'Leary to protect Walsall's lead. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Seremet, Raven, Jackson, Sharps, Roberts, Aiston (Facey 45), McAteer, O'Leary, Tremarco (Jennings 45), Zola, Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Goodison, Harrison. Goals: Greenacre 64. Walsall: Oakes, Wright (Westwood 55), Roper, Gerrard, Fox (Demontagnac 83), James, Mills, Osborn, Smith, Devlin, Barrowman (Leary 67). Subs Not Used: Gilmartin, Timm. Goals: Smith 41, 72. Att: 6,615. Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Yeovil 2-2 Tranmere
Tranmere twice came from behind to earn a point at Huish Park as Yeovil remain in relegation danger in League One. The hosts went ahead early on when Matt Harold slipped the ball in from 12 yards after a mistake from Matt Murray. Tranmere levelled when Ian Goodison headed home after Ian Sharps nodded on a corner, but Yeovil went in front again with a Harold free-kick. But the Glovers were denied victory when Chris Greenacre scored from close-range following a set-piece. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeovil: Collis, Lockwood, Skiverton (Miles 62), Guyett, Jones, Lindegaard, Terry, Cohen, Rocastle (Wilson 81), Davies (Jevons 82), Harrold. Subs Not Used: Gall, Jordan. Goals: Harrold 5, 69. Tranmere: Murray, Sharps, Jackson, Goodison, Roberts, McAteer (Harrison 79), Jennings, O'Leary, Raven, Zola (Facey 62), Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Aiston, Wilson, Tremarco. Booked: Raven. Goals: Goodison 39, Greenacre 77. Att: 5,409. Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).

Tranmere 3-0 Port Vale
Goals from Calvin Zola, Stephen O'Leary and Stephen Davies gave Tranmere a convincing victory over Port Vale. Zola put Rovers ahead after exchanging passes with Chris Greenacre and then headed the ball on for O'Leary to score their second from close range. Delroy Facey hit the post for Tranmere before substitute Davies rounded off the scoring with an 18-yard strike after good work from David Raven. Vale's best effort was a Craig James header which was cleared off the line. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Wilson, Raven, Jackson, Sharps (Goodison 45), Roberts, Jennings, McAteer, O'Leary, Facey (Aiston 81), Zola (Davies 68), Greenacre. Subs Not Used: Harrison, Tremarco. Goals: Zola 28, O'Leary 58, Davies 78. Port Vale: Goodlad, James, Pilkington, Fortune, Smith, Birchall, Togwell, Cummins, McGregor (Sonner 73), Lowndes, Constantine (Husbands 61). Subs Not Used: Brain, Walsh, Doherty. Att: 6,926 Ref: N Miller (Durham).

Rotherham v Tranmere
Rotherham will hand a late fitness test to midfielder Paul McLaren as he is struggling with a hamstring problem. Full-back Scott Minto remains a long-term absentee for the Millers with an Achilles tendon injury. Tranmere manager Brian Little has fitness doubts over Matt Murray (Achilles) and Ian Sharps (hamstring) ahead of the trip to Millmoor. Steve Wilson will continue in goal if Murray is not 100% fit because John Achterberg (groin) is still missing.

Rotherham 2-0 Tranmere
Rotherham boss Alan Knill's inspired second-half substitution earned his side a priceless win. Lee Williamson had a spot kick saved by keeper Steve Wilson, but the home side took the lead with a goal from substitute Martin Butler. Butler then laid on the second for Paul Shaw to score at the second attempt. Both teams were reduced to 10 men late on when Jackson and Micheal Keane tangled in the centre circle and were both shown the red card. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rotherham: Cutler, Worrell, Hurst, Barker, Murdock, Williamson, Keane, Mullin (Butler 65), Quinn, Shaw, Forte (Robertson 90). Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Gilchrist, Hoskins. Sent Off: Keane (84). Goals: Butler 73, Shaw 78. Tranmere: Wilson, Roberts, Jackson, Sharps, Goodison (Aiston 80), Raven, Zola (Harrison 22), Jennings, O'Leary (Davies 79), Greenacre, Facey. Subs Not Used: Tremarco, Palethorpe. Sent Off: Jackson (84). Booked: Harrison. Att: 4,129 Ref: P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

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