A first half goal from striker Stefan Payne wasn’t enough for Tranmere Rovers as they lost 4-1 away at League One leaders Ipswich Town
Goals from Luke Garbutt, Kayden Jackson, Jon Nolan and Kane Vincent-Young sealed the win for the hosts, who were playing Championship football last season.
Boss Micky Mellon welcomed Jake Caprice into the starting line up for the first time this season after a spell on the sidelines following a pre-season friendly against Walsall.
Neil Danns replaced the injured David Perkins to make his first start for the Club following his arrival late last week.
Tranmere started well against the Tractor Boys, who fielded a squad blessed with experience of playing at a higher or international level.
Playing the 3-5-2 formation, Caprice was seeing a lot of space on the right, and Danns was looking a calm influencer in the middle of the park alongside Ollie Banks and Darren Potter.
Tranmere had the ball in the net just before the 20 minute mark, through Danns after a corner kick but there was a blatant hand ball in the lead up.
The visitors were confident in possession and continued to frustrate the league leaders and started to take shots on goal.
Danns was putting his stamp on the game and a positive drive forward through the middle opened up space on the edge of the box for a shot, which whistled over the cross bar.
A tough one for Rovers to take in the 35th minute as Garbutt curled an unstoppable free-kick from 25-yards out.
However, Rovers responded emphatically as Payne scored for the second successive game, prodding home Caprice’s low cross to send the travelling support wild.
The second half began and within three minutes, Jackson restored Ipswich’s lead, as he reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Tranmere penalty area after a long range free-kick.
Tranmere fell a further goal behind in the 63rd minute when Nolan headed home which led to two Rovers changes, Connor Jennings and Corey Blackett-Taylor coming on for Paul Mullin and Keiron Morris with 21 minutes to play.
A wonder goal made it four for the hosts, as Kane Vincent-Young weaved his way past the TRFC defence to hammer the ball past Davies.
Davies made a great save with 12 minutes to go to deny James Norwood, with the striker going through one on one.
Attention now turns to next weekend’s home clash against Shrewsbury Town for Tranmere Rovers, 3pm kick-off on Saturday 5th October at Prenton Park.
Davies, Ridehalgh, Monthe, Nelson, Caprice, Potter (Hepburn-Murphy 82), Danns, Banks, Morris (Jennings 74), Payne, Mullin (Blackett-Taylor 74). Unused subs: Pilling, Ponticelli, Gilmour, Walker-Rice.