A second half strike from top goal scorer James Norwood wasn’t enough for Tranmere as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home to Swindon. First half goals from Marc Richards and Michael Doughty secured the win for Town.
Manager Micky Mellon named the same team which won away at Cheltenham Town last weekend, as January recruits David Perkins and Ishmael Miller made their home debuts.
Midfielder Connor Jennings returned to the bench after missing the game against Cheltenham through injury, replacing Zoumana Bakayogo.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the game in the seventh minute, as their captain, Richards, found space in between Steve McNulty and Mark Ellis to go through on goal, but Scott Davies got down well to save before Ellis thumped the ball away.
In the 20th minute, Swindon broke the deadlock as Richards tucked home his second chance of the game, side footing past Davies from six yards after a cross from the left.
Miller came close to scoring his second in as many games, as the striker powered his way through on goal but he came into contact with the Swindon defender when connecting with his strike, as it steered off target.
Miller was injured in the process which resulted in the former WBA man having to come off for Jennings.
Swindon went two to the good in the 35th minute, as TRFC gave possession away cheaply in the final and the visitors punished through Doughty’s close range finish.
Mellon reacted to the visitors’ second as Adam Buxton came on for Ellis in a change of formation for the hosts.
Jennings had a good opportunity just before the interval for TRFC but his header was off target as Rovers had work to do going into the second period.
It was a case of déjà vu for Tranmere as like last weekend, they raced out of the traps in the second half, as Norwood scored an excellent goal, placing the ball into the bottom corner after a cross from Ollie Banks.
Tranmere were flying after Norwood’s goal and pushed for an equaliser and just before the hour mark, Jennings missed two headers as the host’s confidence continued to grow.
Caprice, in search of his first goal for the Club, nearly found the back of the net, catching goalkeeper Lawrence Vigoroux off guard, but his chipped attempt from 30-yards went wide.
With ten to go, Mellon made his third change as Jonny Smith came on for Luke McCullough.
Tranmere shot stopper Davies made the save of the game in the 83rd minute, jumping to his left to deny Jak McCourt a certain winner.
However, Tranmere couldn’t find the crucial equaliser and Swindon went home with the points. Attention now turns to Mansfield Town away next weekend.
Davies, Caprice, Ellis (Buxton 36), McNulty, Monthe, Ridehalgh, Perkins, McCullough (Smith 80), Banks, Norwood, Miller (Jennings 31). Unused subs: Pilling, Gilmour, Mullin, Harris.
Attendance: 5,847.