Eric Munn reports from Prenton Park

TRANMERE Rovers boss Brian Little was pleased with his team's performance at Colchester on Saturday - their second successive away victory in five days - but admitted he was frustrated at conceding a late goal that kept the home side's hopes alive until the final whistle.

Little decided to stick with the successful 3-5-2 formation that defeated Huddersfield 3-2 in midweek and started with strikers Iain Hume and Chris Dagnall ahead of Theodore Whitmore, who was left in a free attacking midfield role.

The strategy paid off when Rovers took the lead in the 29th minute after Mike Jackson flicked on a corner to the eager feet of Dagnell five yards out.

Colchester changed tactics at half-time and came out looking stronger and pressing hard for the equaliser.

To counter the changes, substitutes Calvin Zola and Paul Hall switched for Hume and Dagnall and Rovers' formation switched to 4-5-1.

Tranmere earned their second goal when Jason McAteer's corner found the head of Zola on 81minutes. In less than two minutes, the lead was reduced but Tranmere were able to hang on to the 2-1 lead to take victory.

Little said: "I was disappointed when they scored so quickly after our second, but I always thought we were the strongest side."

Tranmere play Brentford at Prenton Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and Little is looking to bring home the form that has served the side so well on their recent travels.

"We could do with a good win to push us on," he said. "All in all, we have done quite well, the away games have served us well but we are a little disappointed we haven't taken more points from our last few home games."

Theodore Whitmore came off the pitch with a hamstring injury against Colchester and could miss out on Saturday's game.

Tranmere play Port Vale in the LDV Trophy on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).