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.
Jones turns it
Cheltenham had most of the ball, 59 per cent of it by the end, but they didn't do much with it. McCann had a shot blocked and then sent another over the bar. Tranmere were more direct. On 39 minutes Jones went for goal again, from 25 yards this time, and his superb left-footed shot flew past Stanway into the bottom left corner.
There was still time for a third. Stanway saved from Charlie Whitaker on 44 minutes, but deep into stoppage time Tom Ince teed Whitaker up again, and his dipping right-footed strike from the edge of the area left Stanway no chance.
Stanway keeps it respectable
The second half was mostly about Stanway. He saved from Jones within a minute of the restart, from Whitaker on 54 minutes and again from Ince on 61. Whitaker also had a header saved on 79 minutes. Tranmere had nine shots on target to Cheltenham's two, and without the Cheltenham goalkeeper the scoreline could have been much worse. It was Tranmere's first home win since early September.
Steve Cotterill made changes in search of a way back, bringing on George Nurse, George Miller and Jake Bickerstaff, but Cheltenham never really threatened. Evans kept shooting from range, and his last effort in stoppage time was saved by Luke McGee. It was McGee's only save of the afternoon.
Cotterill was adamant his side had deserved more.
It was never a game we deserved to lose, that's for sure. We started off really well, first 30 minutes I thought we were excellent, absolutely excellent. They end up scoring with their first effort on goal. What happens in games is that it doesn't just change games, it changes mindsets.
Steve Cotterill, Cheltenham Town manager, to Gloucestershire Live
I am not one to come out and have a go at players and I haven't since I've been here or in my career. I don't throw players out and say 'it's their fault' or this, that and the other. When we win, we win together and all enjoy it. When we lose, we are all disappointed.
Steve Cotterill, Cheltenham Town manager, to Gloucestershire Live
Tranmere had drawn seven of their first 13 league games, so a win this clear will feel like progress. Cheltenham were third at kick-off. On this evidence, they will need to tighten up if they're to stay in the promotion places.
Dean Whitehead, the Tranmere assistant, faced the press in place of Darrell Clarke.
It's the first time we've (conceded the first goal in a game) at home, and you never know how you'll react until that happens. But we responded really well.
Dean Whitehead, Tranmere Rovers assistant (PA)
It was a big game for us. It's two from three now and we're in a good place, but we want to keep improving.
LEAGUE TWO