Tranmere's season started in disappointing fashion as they went down to a 3-1 defeat at Swindon.

Rovers were behind as early as the fifth minute and though they had chances to level, after the second went in they struggled to get back into the match.

The Robins grabbed their third early in the second half and though Bas Savage scored his first goal in a Tranmere shirt, it was too late for a comeback and Rovers went home empty handed.

Ian Goodison missed out through suspension, while Gareth Edds, Chris Shuker and Danny Coyne were all missing due to injury.

Perhaps the biggest shock in the Rovers squad was the name of Phil Palethorpe. The goalkeeper, who came through the Tranmere youth system before leaving for Chester in 2006, returned as cover for Coyne on a non-contract basis and was named on the bench. That meant John Achterberg was in goal for his 300th start for the Club.

Elsewhere, Ronnie Moore's only changes to the side that beat Blackpool were the inclusion of Godwin Antwi in place of the suspended Ian Goodison at right back and Ian Moore returned from a back injury to take the place of Edrissa Sonko in attack.

Rovers, who took to the pitch wearing their new blue away kit, had the game's first chance on three minutes, with Andy Taylor finding George O'Callaghan on the left, and his cross being headed wide by Bas Savage.

Soon after, Swindon's Simon Cox headed over Achterberg's bar, and with their next attack, the home side took the lead. Taylor's attempted clearance fell straight back to Swindon and from the cross that followed Billy Paynter headed across goal and in at the far post.

Taylor's 25 yard effort went over on 14 minutes as Rovers went in search of an equaliser, while Antony Kay's header was blocked on its way to goal six minutes later.

On 26 minutes it looked like the equaliser had come, when O'Callaghan's brilliant chipped pass but Moore through on goal and his lob went over the keeper, but Jerel Ifil was in place to head clear and Craig Curran couldn't convert the rebound under pressure from Yinka Casal.

Charlie Barnett sliced well wide of goal when one on one on 36 minutes, and the home side responded with a quick attack and their second goal, this time Cox beating Achterberg with a low shot from 12 yards.

In the first minute of first half injury time Anthony McNamee forced Achterberg into a save with a 20 yard curler, while Jennings shot wide from a similar distance at the other end.

The second half started badly for Rovers as they went three goals down from Swindon's first attack. This time, McNamee's cross from the left went straight through the six yard box with Jon-Paul McGovern finishing from close range. Taylor did his best to keep the ball out but the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line.

O'Callaghan curled a shot straight at Peter Brezovan on 53 minutes, while Cox flashed a header across goal and wide at the other end.

Moments after Moore had headed wide, Ronnie Moore made his first substitution of the season, bringing on Sonko in place of O'Callaghan.

Savage came close to pulling one back for Rovers on 62 minutes, but his goalbound header from Taylor's cross struck the back of a defender and bounced to safety.

Barnett brought a save out of Brezovan with a low shot across goal after Sonko slipped inside the area but Swindon continued to attack and went close through Cox with a dipping volley from 20 yards that went just past Achterberg's left hand post.

With five minutes to go Rovers scored their first goal of the season, with Savage tapping in from close range from Sonko's pass across the six yard box. There was no time for celebrations or moonwalking though as the striker rushed back to the centre circle with the ball.

It proved to be the last chance of the game for Rovers who now face a trip to Grimsby Town in the First Round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

Referee: Fred Graham

Yellow cards: Antwi (82), Timlin (90)