Tranmere Rovers . . . . 1 Oldham Athletic . . . . 2

Attendance: 9,795

NEW Year's Day blues got the better of Tranmere in their bank holiday fixture, despite an exceptional home team performance.

Throughout the game, Tranmere had greater possession and looked the match of Oldham. Rovers fought hard, winning and maintaining the play, to produce an exceptionally high quality game.

Oldham netted first in the 37th minute when Gareth Roberts brought down Wayne Andrews inside the penalty area. The decision was dubious since Andrews looked offside at the time of the initial cross, but that didn't bother skipper David Eyres, who belted the ball in from the spot.

A period of intense pressure from the away team followed and Tranmere did well to hang on until the break.

Rovers looked more convincing when they returned and again they dominated. They drew level on 60 minutes when Simon Haworth headed a cross from Alex Hay into the net from the six-yard box.

On 67 minutes, it looked like Tranmere were going to go one step further and take the lead, after a handball led to a penalty. Alas, Gareth Roberts failed to put the ball past a diving Les Pogliacomi.

Haworth looked like scoring again, but luck was with the away team, who regained the lead in the 76th minute. Paul Murray took the ball up the right and crossed to Julian Baudet, who headed past John Achterberg.

Wayne Andrews, running up the flank, could have put another in the net, but luckily the ball hit the post with six minutes of the game remaining.

Tranmere Rovers: Achterberg; Allen, Connelly, Jackson, Roberts; Mellon, Jones, Hay (sub: M. Robinson, 80 mins), Taylor (sub: Hume, 75 mins); Haworth, Barlow. Subs (not used): Sharps, Howarth, Hinds.

Oldham Athletic: Pogliacomi; Haining, Beharral, Hall; Murray, Eyres, Eyre, Baudet, Armstrong; Corrazzin (sub: Sheridan, 86 mins), Andrews. Subs (not used): Miskelly, Duxbury, Killen, Clegg.