Tranmere Rovers were beaten 2-1 by Notts County at Meadow Lane, as the first month of the league season came to an end.

The hosts led early as David McGoldrick beat Luke McGee with a low shot from the edge of the box. 

Their lead was doubled in the second half when Connell Rawlinson tapped home Matt Palmer’s cross from close range. 

Josh Hawkes restored some hope for the visitors late on as he converted Paul Lewis’ delivery, but County saw off late pressure to secure victory. 

There were several changes to the side that started last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Salford City. Lee O’Connor and Luke Norris were replaced by the returning Chris Merrie and Charlie Jolley – who made his first league start for 18 months.  

Aaron Nemane was causing problems for Rovers down the flank, twice getting in behind and firing crosses into the box which were dealt with by Tom Davies. 

However, the hosts soon broke through. McGoldrick placed a perfect low shot across McGee from the edge of the box to give them the lead on 12 minutes. 

County were well on top, and Macaulay Langstaff was eager to chip in with a goal. First, he was denied on the line by Connor Jennings, before scuffing a shot over from a few-yards out a minute later. 

Tranmere began to grow into the half before the half hour mark. Kieron Morris met an excellent long ball from the back but fired over after breaking into the box. 

Lewis found himself in the box for fouling Jodi Jones, but felt he was brought down in the box himself shortly afterwards. Referee Thomas Parsons wasn’t interested. 

Davies lept high to meet a cross from the right but could only find the gloves of Aidan Stone as the half-time whistle sounded. 

With an hour played, McGoldrick smashed the post from the edge of the box before Dan Crowley fired wide from a few yards out. 

Then, a few minutes later, County doubled their lead as Rawlinson tapped in Palmer’s vicious delivery across goal. 

Ian Dawes made four changes, introducing Kane Hemmings, Hawkes, Sam Taylor and Reece McAlear into the game, while the hosts were reduced to ten men as substitute Cedwyn Scott hobbled off with all subs already made. 

Rovers had the best of the final ten minutes, Davies hit the bar with a curling shot from range and Taylor went close shortly afterwards, after Hemmings teed up the young forward inside the box. 

Hawkes swept home Lewis’ delivery from the right to give Tranmere hope as the 90 approached, but the Magpies saw out eight minutes of added time to leave Meadow Lane with the points. 

NOTTS COUNTY: Stone, Brindley, Cameron, Rawlinson (Baldwin 67’), Crowley (Austin 71’), Langstaff, Jones, Nemane (Adebayo 67’), Bostock, McGoldrick (Scott 71’), Palmer (O’Brien 71’) 

SUBS NOT USED: Slocombe, Chicksen 

TRANMERE ROVERS: McGee, Merrie, Davies, Turnbull, Yarney (McAlear 72’), Lewis, Hendry, Morris (Hawkes 66’), Jennings, Jolley (Hemmings 72’), Dennis (Taylor 66’) 

SUBS NOT USED: Murphy, Walker, Hughes 

ATTENDANCE: 10,174 (805 away)