Tranmere Rovers ran out victors against Preston North End in their second behind closed doors game of pre season on Tuesday afternoon.
A second half goal from summer signing Jon Nolan was enough to get the win for Micky Mellon’s side in a very competitive friendly at Euxton.
It was an evenly balanced start to the game as both sides tested the opposition defence with crosses into the box from both wings. The first save of the game was produced by Hewelt in the Rovers goal following a driven effort from the edge of the box. It was palmed well away from danger.
On the 15th minute, Preston striker Riis twisted and turned inside the Rovers box before looking certain to score however Tom Davies managed a brilliant last ditch tackle to deny the shot. Unfortunately Davies went off shortly after as a precaution.
The home side continued to threaten as Johnson found space inside the box before picking out Woodburn but his side footed shot went narrowly wide.
Rovers came forward next as Paul Lewis dribbled into the box and poked a ball through to Nevitt but he was shut out before he could get a shot away from inside the box.
Kieron Morris was next to stretch his legs as he skipped past three men before trying to shift the ball onto his left foot and shoot however a wall of Preston defenders shut him out and the scores were level at the interval.
The second half began similar to the first with the home side firing low crosses into the box but Hewelt stood firm and gathered anything that arrived near him.
On the hour mark, Nevitt found space in behind the North End defence, cut inside but then dragged his effort low into the hands of the home stopper.
Rovers began to gain the momentum with two Reece McAlear corners being the delivered into dangerous areas. The first one was flicked just off the head of Byrne and the second was met by Byrne but headed over the bar at the back post.
Rovers made a host of changes on the 65th minute and fielded a mainly young side for the final half an hour.
Not long after, Rovers got their noses in front with a well worked goal. Tranmere Rovers Academy graduate Sam Taylor turned and played a ball down the line to Bristow, his cross found the feet of Jon Nolan who fired his shot into the roof of the net emphatically.
Micky Mellon’s men would largely dominate the ball in the final ten minutes and round off a hard earned victory in the sunshine at Euxton.
The squad will next travel to Warrington Town on this coming Saturday in the next fixture of the pre season schedule.
Tranmere team: Hewelt, Dacres-Cogley (Stratulis 65’), Byrne (Hayde 65’), Davies (Hockenhull 20’), Trialist (Merrie 10’), Morris (Bristow 45’), O’Connor (Nolan 45’), Lewis (Hawkes 45’), McAlear (Lomax 65’), Nevitt (Burton 65’), Hemmings (Hughes 65’)
Taylor on for Burton - 70’
Williams on for Merrie - 84’