Tranmere Rovers concluded their season preparations with a 3-1 defeat against League One Rochdale at Prenton Park on Saturday.
There was definitely signs of promise from Micky Mellon’s men from the opening stages as they pressured the League One outfit.
Ben Tollitt managed to find space in the area and have a shot on goal, straight down Josh Lillis’ throat in the Rochdale goal.
Soon after, Bakayogo proved his pace and ability to get past two men before sending in a whipping cross which was inches from Tollitt at the back post.
Rochdale, despite the home side’s best efforts, dominated the first half and that proved with their attacking ability.
Ian Henderson got a chance to get the first goal of the match, but his free header went just past the post.
Callum Camps opened the scoring for the away side after half an hour with some good footwork before curling an effort past Shamal George.
Soon before the end of the first half, Rochdale doubled their lead which came from lack of communication between the Tranmere defence and George.
After a loose back pass to George, Wilbraham had the chance to square the ball to the waiting Inman who tapped the ball into the empty net.
Despite being two goals down, Tranmere kept fighting and did create chances, but just could not quite find the cutting edge.
Jonny Smith ran down the near touchline, to beat his man before sending the ball to Norwood who unfortunately could not hit the target.
Away from the action on the pitch, five minutes into the second half, the heavens opened and a hail storm descended into Prenton Park, leaving referee Peter Wright with no choice but to suspend play, which lasted less than 60 seconds.
Just before the hour mark, Rochdale had a chance to make it three with Inman looking for his second of the match but his shot from the edge of the area was a routine save for George.
Soon after though, the away side were awarded a penalty after Mark Ellis tripped Cannon in the area.
Alby stepped up and got Dale’s third goal of the afternoon sending George the wrong way and
The work ethic from the Whites was superb all afternoon and despite being 3-0 down they definitely caused the away side problems.
Banks, from a free kick crossed deep into the box where Ellis was waiting but he could only head over under pressure.
Harvey Gilmour, on loan from Sheffield United, had a golden chance but could not take it as he fired wide from close range, taking his frustrations out on the advertising board behind the Kop goal.
Less than ten minutes later though Gilmour found himself in a good position after Bakayogo cut back, and fired into the roof of the net, making sure that he took that one!
Minutes from the end of the game, a goal mouth scramble was the result of a ball into the box and after several attempts, Rochdale managed to clear their lines.
TRANMERE: 23. George (Wharton 76), 4. Sutton, 5. McNulty © (Ellis 45), 7. Tollitt (Monthe 45), 8. Harris, 10. Norwood (Mullin 76), 11. Jennings (Gilmour 60), 14. Caprice, 18. Smith (Trialist A 60), 24. Bakayogo, 28. Banks (Cole 73)
Referee: Peter Wright
by Aidan Jones