Tranmere Rovers hit five goals away for the first time in more than ten years with a festive five at Salford City for victory on Boxing Day.
Rovers had the first chance of the game five minutes in when Harvey Saunders nodded Lee O’Connor’s cross goalwards but Alex Cairns caught the effort after initially juggling it.
Saunders put Rovers ahead 12 minutes into the contest after swooping in at the far post to slide an effort home.
Tranmere continued to test Salford’s resolve, Rob Apter causing Luke Garbutt problems on the Rovers right and Saunders going close to a second after picking up a loose ball at the back, but the hosts soaked up the pressure.
On 35 minutes, a Rovers counter attack resulted in Kieron Morris finding space on the left edge of the box and side-footing past Cairns to make it 2-0.
Rovers took that 2-0 lead into the break after a dominant first-half showing away from home.
Salford started the second period brightly, Conor McAleny forcing a strong save from Luke McGee with a shot which looked destined for the bottom corner.
However, Rovers put an end to that bright start from the hosts when Connor Jennings turned inside and slotted home five minutes into the second half.
Regan Hendry and then Rob Apter both looked to shoot before sweeping the ball wide for Jennings, who cut back onto his left foot before finding the net.
Five minutes later, Salford pulled one back to make it 3-1 when Matt Lund’s effort fired past McGee.
Tranmere made it 4-1 on 64 minutes though to restore their three-goal advantage when Regan Hendry fired past Cairns in front of the travelling Rovers faithful.
Things went from bad to worse for Salford on 72 minutes when Conor McAleny was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Walker and sent off.
The travelling Rovers faithful were in fantastic voice throughout the entire game, helping to spur on every attack.
Rovers hit five in stoppage time when substitute Reece McAlear gave his defender the slip and switched the play into the path of fellow substitute Josh Hawkes, who slotted home to end proceedings at 5-1.
SALFORD CITY: Alex Cairns, Ethan Ingram (Kevin Berkoe, 76), Declan John, Elliot Watt, Matthew Lund, Curtis Tilt, Matt Smith, Conor McAleny, Luke Garbutt, Kelly Nmai, Liam Humbles (Junior Luamba, 46).
UNUSED SUBS: Joe Wright, Adrian Mariappa, Connor McLennan, Sandro Da Costa, Jacob Hamman.
TRANMERE ROVERS: Luke McGee, Lee O’Connor, Tom Davies (C), Jordan Turnbull (Joe Yarney, 76), Connor Wood (James Norris, 88), Rob Apter (Josh Hawkes, 68), Brad Walker, Regan Hendry, Kieron Morris (Reece McAlear, 88), Connor Jennings, Harvey Saunders (Charlie Jolley, 68).
UNUSED SUBS: Joe Murphy, Dan Pike.