Bradford City . . . 0, Tranmere . . . 1

Attendance: 16,494

AT last, a win away from home!

Tranmere's 39-year-old player-manager, John Aldridge, recalled himself to the starting line-up for the first time this season. And in true Roy of the Rovers style, he scored the winner with a superb header on 61 minutes after a peach of a cross from Gary Stevens to give his side their first victory of the season away from Prenton Park in the Nationwide League Division One.

Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen made his debut in place of groin victim Danny Coyne and excelled, making a superb first-half save to deny Bradford's Brazilian striker Edinho. It was Simonsen's second game in 24 hours, after appearing for England Under-18s in a 3-2 victory over Russia the previous evening.

Rovers were full value for their win and responded to their manager's call to tighten up in defence. Former Bolton striker John McGinlay struck the bar in the second-half with a 25-yard effort, but he and Edinho were well marshalled by John McGreal and the magnificent Andy Thorn. Winger Graham Branch enjoyed an excellent second-half and might have added to Rovers' tally on a number of occasions.

The standing ovation from the travelling army of Tranmere fans at the final whistle told its own story. Tranmere haven't had much luck away from home, but come the end of the season the win at Bradford on November 15 could well prove to have been a significant moment.

Tranmere: Simonsen, Stevens, Thompson, McGreal, Thorn, Irons (sub Mahon, 69 mins), Mellon, Aldridge (sub Morrissey, 77 mins), Branch, O'Brien, L. Jones. Unused sub, Challinor.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.