Goals from Chris Dagnall and Steve Davies weren't enough for Tranmere Reserves as they went down to a 3-2 defeat against Rochdale in the Pontin's Holidays League at Rivacre Park.

John McMahon's side went behind in the 15^th minute when Gareth Griffiths headed in after a corner was headed back across goal.

Four minutes later, however, they were level, when Mike Jones intercepted a clearance and found Dagnall, who beat one man on the edge of the area before firing into the right side of the goal.

Against an experienced Rochdale side, Rovers' youngsters found chances hard to come by and they were a goal down again on 38 minutes with Clive Moyo-Modise shooting under the body of Phil Palethorpe.

The victory for the visitors was completed on 88 minutes with Dale converting a penalty after Phil Palethorpe had fouled the substitute striker.

Steve Davies gave Rovers a chance of a comeback in injury time with a superbly taken free kick going into the top right corner, but there was not enough time to add to the goal.

Tranmere: Palethorpe, James, Lovell, Holmes, Johnston (Garry 83), Henry (Curran 74), M Jones, Fowler, Dagnall, Davies, Brown. Substitutes not used: Connolly, Holden, Ferguson.