Tranmere Rovers secured a pivotal three points on the road at Crawley on Saturday to solidify their position within the top three of the league standings.
Rovers were challenged from the get-go in West Sussex and it was the hosts who got out of the blocks quickly, an early effort from Nick Tsaroulla was well-blocked by the Tranmere defence.
Micky Mellon’s men started to take control of proceedings as the first half grew on but weren’t able to create an opening of any significance and as the halftime break arrived both sides were awaiting their first shots on goal.
Rovers made a lively start after the break and had the first opportunity of the second half, Kane Hemmings forcing Crawley’s Glenn Morris into a save with his low-driven effort.
Micky Mellon’s side were really starting to apply the pressure and had another chance not long after. Excellent buildup play between Josh McPake and Kane Hemmings saw the former have an opportunity to break the deadlock, his attempt just evading the goal.
Rovers didn’t have to wait much longer for their goal, which came just after the hour mark. A dangerous Jay Spearing free kick took a deflection which helped to beat Glenn Morris at his near post. Nothing less than the visitors deserved.
Rovers almost had their second through substitute Elliott Nevitt after he latched onto a header from Kane Hemmings, only to be denied by an excellent block from Jordan Tunnicliffe, who redeemed himself after an error in the buildup.
Rovers managed the game immaculately in the closing moments, with Micky Mellon organising his side brilliantly to withstand a barrage of pressure from the hosts.
As the final whistle went there was a shared sense of delight on the pitch, on the touchline and in the away terrace after an excellent showing of support from the fans who'd made the trip to West Sussex from the Wirral Peninsula, encouraging the side throughout the clash.
An eighth win in nine for Rovers who make the trip back up to Birkenhead with three points in the bag, stretching their unbeaten run to ten in the league!
Doohan, Dacres-Cogley, Foley, Clarke, MacDonald, McPake (McManaman 75'), Spearing (Merrie 88'), O’Connor, Morris, Jolley (Nevitt 59’), Hemmings
Unused subs: Murphy, Maguire, Feeney, Hayde