Cheltenham edition · The Football Pink

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LEAGUE TWO

JONES DOUBLE AS TRANMERE SHAKE OFF EARLY SHOCK

McCann scores for Cheltenham inside a minute, but Dylan Jones strikes twice and Whitaker adds a third before half-time at Prenton Park

By Our Special Correspondent

Cheltenham couldn't have asked for a better start at Prenton Park. After 47 seconds Jake Evans sent in a low cross and Charlie McCann steered it past Luke McGee from 12 yards. By half-time they were 3-1 down, and the 6,110 crowd had seen Dylan Jones put Tranmere in charge.

Darrell Clarke's side responded well to falling behind. Jordan Turnbull headed Will Vaulks' delivery towards the top corner on nine minutes, but Wyll Stanway saved. On 23 minutes Jacob Slater found Jones in the middle of the box, and his left-footed shot went into the bottom right corner.

Scorers Tranmere: D. Jones 23, 39, Whitaker 45+3; Cheltenham: McCann 1

The marks

Tranmere's first home win since early September makes it three games unbeaten and lifts them to 11th on 19 points. Cheltenham, third at kick-off, drop to fifth on 21, and have now conceded 25 goals in 14 league games.

Dylan Jones Two left-footed finishes, one from inside the box and one from outside, turned the game before half-time
Charlie Whitaker His dipping strike from the edge of the area made it three on the stroke of half-time, and he kept testing Stanway after the break
Tom Ince Set up the third and was involved in most of Tranmere's best attacks
Jacob Slater His assist for the equaliser started the fightback
Wyll Stanway Six saves and still beaten three times. Without him it would have been heavier
Charlie McCann Steered Evans' low cross in after 47 seconds, but Cheltenham faded after that

Full marks and report →