Tranmere Rovers fell to defeat at the hands of Crewe Alexandra on New Years Day at the Mornflake Stadium.
A first half wonder strike from Charlie Colkett was the difference between the two sides in a contest that Rovers largely dominated.
Tranmere started on the front foot with a barrage of crosses into dangerous areas from the flanks but Crewe stood firm.
Kieron Morris was the first to test Okonkwo in the Crewe goal when he rifled a right footed shot which was heading for the top corner before the stopper clawed it out to deny an opener.
Just moments later, a cross from the left fell to the feet of Morris inside the box but his snapshot was blocked by one of his own team mates.
On the 15th minute mark, a glorious chance went begging for Rovers as good work from Kane Hemmings resulted in his low cross behind guided wide by Elliott Nevitt inside the six yard box.
Despite all of Tranmere’s possession and chances created, it was Crewe who would break the deadlock. A stray header in the middle of the pitch was picked up by Colkett who unleashed a stunning volley which dipped over Doohan and went just underneath the bar and into the back of the net.
In the second half, Tranmere came forward again. Josh Hawkes’ corner from the left was met by a towering Tom Davies at the back post but his header was somehow cleared off the line at the far post.
With an hour on the clock, Rovers kept chipping away. Kane Hemmings paced down the right and looked to pick out Joel Mumbongo in the box before the Crewe keeper palmed it onto his own defender and watched the ball deflect agonisingly wide.
Another golden opportunity came Tranmere’s way with just over ten minutes remaining. Josh Dacres-Cogley delivered a pinpoint cross to the head of Mumbongo who had a free header from six yards out but he could only find the stand behind the goal.
With Tranmere pushing forward, Crewe began to counter. Dan Agyei got the better of Jordan Turnbull on the right before picking out Joel Tabiner at the back post but his low driven volley went well wide.
Sambou was the next Crewe man to attempt to put the game to bed. He raced through a gaping hole in the Tranmere defence with bodies pushing forward but his one-on-one effort was dragged wide.
Tranmere huffed and puffed but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the game despite having more than enough chances to get at least a point.
Tranmere team: Doohan, Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow, Morris, Merrie, O’Connor, Hawkes (Nolan 78’), Nevitt (Mumbongo 58’), Hemmings