An overhead kick from Calvin Zola earned Rovers three points in their first Reserve fixture of the season.

The striker was one of eight professionals who played the full 90 minutes at Rossendale's Dark Lane - including John Achterberg in his first competitive outing in 2006.

Rovers took the lead on 47 minutes when Paul Henry played the ball to Steve Davies who hooked a cross over the defender. Steve Jennings' shot was parried by the keeper but Zola acrobatically found the net.

Youth Coach Shaun Garnett, who took charge of the team, said: "It was a good performance from the lads. We didn't test their keeper very much outside of the goal, but John didn't have much to do either. I was very pleased to see him complete the full 90 minutes. His talking was good and he claimed his crosses well.

"Calvin and Davo worked hard up front together, Steve Jennings played well in midfield and the back four played very well, especially when you take into account that we had two 16-year old first year apprentices playing."

Rovers' next Reserve match is at Prenton Park against Oldham Athletic on Wednesday, 30 August. Kick off 7pm.

Tranmere: Achterberg; James, Johnston, Mitchell, Cresswell; M. Jones, Jennings, Henry, Holden; Zola, Davies. Substitutes not used: Connolly, Williams, Ferguson, Jones, Curran.