Three first half goals from Cheltenham Town ensured the visitors collected maximum points in a 3-0 victory at Prenton Park
Manager Mike Jackson drafted in Paul Lewis and Mark Ellis for the game against the Robins, as the pair stepped in for Ollie Banks and Calum MacDonald.
Liam Feeney was named on the bench for Rovers, whilst fellow new signing Kaiyne Woolery watched on from the stands after a full week’s training.
In the fifth minute, Cheltenham Town took the lead when a corner was sent to the back post and Charlie Raglan towered above the TRFC backline to head home.
Constant closing down and pressure from the Tranmere front line nearly saw an opening for the hosts. Cheltenham were unable to get clear a ball and Liam Ridehalgh took possession on the left, and put a cross in but no Rovers man could turn home.
The hosts went two goals to the good just before the 20 minute mark, as they broke away from the half way line as Willams raced through to slot beyond Davies.
Jackson responded to the two goal deficit with a change of personnel and formation, Ellis replaced by winger Feeney.
However, Rovers went three goals down in the 38th minute after an own goal from Paul Lewis.
Tranmere came out for the second half with a spring in their step as Feeney missed a great chance with two minutes in, but the Town defender did enough to put him off balance when he struck.
From the resulting corner, Vaughan header over the bar as Tranmere looked to find a way back into the game.
Tranmere came close again to a breakthrough when Lewis’ effort was blocked with a last-ditch tackle in the 55th minute.
Good work on the left by Morris and Ridehalgh saw the former cross into the box for Vaughan, but it was just a bit too high for our number nine and he headed over.
Tranmere’s second and third changes saw Spearing and Khan replaced by Banks and Stefan Payne.
However, the score remained 3-0 and Tranmere will now move onto next weekend’s game at Cambridge United.
Tranmere: Davies, O’Connor, Ellis (Feeney 36), Monthe, Clarke, Ridehalgh, Spearing (Banks 80, Lewis, Khan (Payne 80), Morris, Vaughan. Unused subs: Murphy, Ray, Nelson, MacDonald.
Cheltenham: Griffiths, Boyle, Tozer, Raglan, Blair, Hussey, Sercombe, Thomas, Azaz (Bonds 63), Williams, Lloyd (Freestone 83). Unused subs: Harris, Horton, Clements, Campbell, Reid.