Antony Kay's late header wasn't enough as Tranmere failed to record back to back wins over the Easter period, going down 2-1 at Bournemouth.

Rovers were a goal down within the first minute and a second goal for the hosts after half an hour made life difficult for the visitors.

Substitute Kay found the net ten minutes after coming on to the pitch but it was too little too late for Rovers as they slipped out of the Play Off places.

There was just one change to the side that defeated Port Vale 2-0 as Jennison Myrie-Williams replaced Chris Shuker on the right side of midfield.

Rovers made the worst start possible and went behind after only 35 seconds. Max-Alain Gradel whipped in a cross from the right and Ian Goodison's attempt to clear led to the ball deflecting past Danny Coyne and into the net.

Goodison did better to snuff out crossing opportunities for Gradel and Lee Bradbury soon after, while both teams had to contend with heavy rain.

The home side enjoyed the better of the early possession and it took Rovers until the 16th minute to earn their first corner, with Paul McLaren's cross missing Ian Moore at the near post.

On 23 minutes David Forde saved Ben Chorley's header from an Andy Taylor cross as the visitors slowly worked their way back into the game.

However, the home side grabbed a second on 33 minutes. Tranmere failed to clear a corner and after the ball was sent back into the area Jo Kuffour converted from close range.

After Taylor had been booked for a challenge on Gradel, Goodison cleared a curling shot from Kuffour as the home side took their two goal lead into half time.

Steve Jennings shot over the bar on 49 minutes after receiving the ball from Shane Sherriff, while Taylor volleyed wide soon after from a rebound having sent a free kick into the Bournemouth wall.

Coyne made a fine save to deny Pearce a third for Bournemouth on 58 minutes, while Forde did well to keep out Ian Moore's header two minutes later.

Calvin Zola replaced Myrie-Williams with just under half an hour remaining and Antony Kay came on for Jennings ten minutes later.

Gradel forced a save from Coyne as Bournemouth attacked quickly on the break from a Tranmere corner on 75 minutes, while Moore shot over from a tight angle soon after.

Rovers pulled a goal back with four minutes remaining, with Kay heading in a McLaren free kick for his sixth of the season.

It gave Ronnie Moore's side just a few minutes in which to search for an equaliser and an unlikely point.

A goalmouth scramble saw Zola shoot at goal but Bournemouth got enough bodies behind the ball to cling on for all three points.

Referee: Andy Hall

Yellow cards: Taylor (40), Bradbury (45), Sherriff (48), Gradel (65)