For each fixture this season, take a trip down memory lane to recall a memorable Tranmere Rovers match against each of our Sky Bet League One opponents.
Bolton Wanderers visit Prenton Park for a third-tier clash, which is their first meeting against Tranmere at league level since 2001.
Rovers have had their battles with the Trotters over the course of the last few decades when both sides competed in the Football League’s lower divisions.
One contest under the Wembley Stadium Twin Towers on 1st June 1991 proved to be a day of celebration for Rovers, with Chris Malkin ultimately proving the hero as his goal won promotion up to the Barclays League Second Division.
After beating Brentford 1-0 in the semi-final second leg at Prenton Park to seal a 3-2 aggregate win, Tranmere set up a Barclays League Third Division Play-Off Final against Bolton in front of 30,217 spectators.
Having lost out to Phil Neal’s Burnden Park outfit twice earlier that campaign in the league and Leyland DAF Cup, Rovers inflicted revenge on their Greater Manchester opponents in perfect style by ensuring Second Division football would be played on the Wirral.
Rovers goalkeeper Eric Nixon was forced to tip Julian Darby’s powerful effort away for a corner while forward Chris Malkin went close for Tranmere up the other end as each club traded chances at goal in a tight affair in the capital.
With the scores still level after 90 minutes played, the game entered extra-time and Tranmere won it through Malkin in the 98th minute, who drove his shot inside the penalty area right-footed into the bottom left-corner beyond David Felgate to seal promotion for Johnny King’s men.
TRFC: Nixon, Higgins, Brannan, Irons, Hughes, Garnett, Morrissey, Martindale (Harvey), Steel (Malkin), Cooper, Thomas