Tranmere Rovers moved seven points clear at the top of League One, coming from 2-0 behind to defeat Yeovil Town.

Sam Foley set up Paddy Madden to put the visitors in front and Foley doubled the advantage from close range.

But James Wallace's header reduced the deficit and Jake Cassidy levelled for Rovers, following up after Adam McGurk's initial shot had been saved.

Yeovil then had Joe Edwards sent off for two yellow cards before Danny Holmes netted Tranmere's late winner.

From a quickly-taken corner, visiting goalkeeper Marek Stech denied a first effort from Holmes but was unable to keep out his second attempt.

With Stevenage losing at Colchester and Sheffield United dropping two points late on at home to Oldham, victory became even more valuable for Tranmere.

But the hosts had to recover from a shocking start. They were trailing by two goals inside half an hour, with Madden continuing an impressive start to his loan spell with the Glovers.

Fortress Prenton Park

Tranmere's last home defeat was a 2-0 reverse against MK Dons on 10 December last year

Two days after joining on loan from Carlisle, the 22-year-old scored twice on his debut as Gary Johnson's men ended a six-match losing streak with victory against Colchester last weekend.

After Madden had found the net for a third time in two games, Yeovil looked on course for their first away points since 25 August.

But Tranmere, who were without prolific duo Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Andy Robinson because of injury, fought back strongly to avoid their first home defeat since December 2011 and extend their unbeaten run at Prenton Park to 18 matches.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Tranmere Rovers manager Ronnie Moore told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"We were awful in the first half, but we showed a bit of courage, a bit of determination and a bit of togetherness.

"We got the goal just at the right time, just before half time, and at 2-1 I felt it was a game we could go on and win.

"That's not the way we've defended. You don't get six clean sheets in 11 games defending like that, and we won't get many more if we defend like that.

"But I have to give them a pat on the back for their never-say-die attitude. I'm pleased that 'Holmesy' got the goal for us at the end."

Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (4)

Tranmere Rovers

  • 01 fon Williams
  • 02 Holmes Booked
  • 04 Taylor
  • 14 Bakayogo
  • 21 Gibson
  • 06 Palmer
  • 07 Thompson (Stockton - 46' )
  • 08 Wallace Booked
  • 09 Cassidy
  • 11 McGurk (Black - 86' )
  • 22 Bell-Baggie

Substitutes

  • 33 Mooney
  • 03 Black
  • 19 Kay
  • 12 Harrison
  • 15 Kirby
  • 17 Power
  • 16 Stockton

Yeovil Town

  • 01 Stech
  • 03 McAllister
  • 04 Hinds
  • 18 Burn Booked
  • 22 Edwards Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 07 Marsh-Brown Booked
  • 08 Upson
  • 14 Foley (Webster - 76' )
  • 21 Smith Booked
  • 09 Hayter (Williams - 76' )
  • 17 Madden

Substitutes

  • 12 Stewart
  • 05 Webster
  • 06 Blizzard
  • 10 Williams
  • 11 Reid
Ref: Wright
Att: 6,344

Match Stats

Shots

13 10

On target

8 4

Corners

8 6

Fouls

8 25

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:38 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +3:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Holmes by Richard Hinds. Owain Fon Williams takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:41

Unfair challenge on Byron Webster by Jake Cassidy results in a free kick. James McAllister takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:41 Booking

Booking Keanu Marsh-Brown receives a caution.

90:00 +2:15

Unfair challenge on Abdulai Bell-Baggie by Keanu Marsh-Brown results in a free kick. James Wallace takes the free kick.

90:00 +1:20

Unfair challenge on Jake Cassidy by Byron Webster results in a free kick. James Wallace restarts play with the free kick.

88:51

James McAllister concedes a free kick for a foul on Abdulai Bell-Baggie. Danny Holmes takes the direct free kick.

87:45

Unfair challenge on Danny Holmes by Gavin Williams results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ash Taylor.

85:27 Substitution

Substitution Paul Black on for Adam McGurk.

85:14

Jake Cassidy produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the goal.

81:38

Adam McGurk concedes a free kick for a foul on Korey Smith. The ball is sent over by Edward Upson, Close range shot by Byron Webster goes wide of the right-hand upright.

80:30

Abdulai Bell-Baggie takes a shot. Save by Marek Stech.

79:32

Richard Hinds challenges Ash Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

79:12

Foul by Cole Stockton on Edward Upson, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by James McAllister.

78:58 Booking

Booking Caution for Danny Holmes.

77:52 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Holmes - Tranmere 3 - 2 Yeovil Danny Holmes finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tranmere 3-2 Yeovil.

77:03

Cole Stockton delivers the ball, Zoumana Bakayogo takes a shot. Save made by Marek Stech. Short corner taken by Adam McGurk.

75:23 Substitution

Substitution James Hayter leaves the field to be replaced by Gavin Williams.

75:23 Substitution

Substitution Byron Webster is brought on as a substitute for Sam Foley.

75:03

The ball is sent over by Paddy Madden, Keanu Marsh-Brown has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

74:15

Zoumana Bakayogo sends in a cross, Richard Hinds makes a clearance.

73:52

The ball is crossed by Abdulai Bell-Baggie, clearance made by Dan Burn.

72:15

Free kick taken by Adam McGurk. The ball is sent over by Liam Palmer, Richard Hinds manages to make a clearance.

72:15 Dismissal

Dismissal Joe Edwards is shown a red card.

71:59

Joe Edwards challenges Zoumana Bakayogo unfairly and gives away a free kick.

70:16

Shot from long distance by Keanu Marsh-Brown goes wide of the left-hand post.

67:50

Cole Stockton is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Marek Stech takes the indirect free kick.

67:17

Effort from outside the penalty box by Keanu Marsh-Brown goes wide right of the goal.

66:41

Effort from the edge of the box by Cole Stockton goes wide of the left-hand upright.

65:41

Liam Palmer produces a cross, clearance by Richard Hinds.

64:52

Unfair challenge on Richard Hinds by Jake Cassidy results in a free kick. Marek Stech takes the direct free kick.

64:15

Sam Foley is caught offside. Owain Fon Williams takes the free kick.

63:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Palmer on Sam Foley. Free kick taken by James McAllister.

62:26

Adam McGurk takes a corner.

61:32

The ball is crossed by Liam Palmer, clearance by Edward Upson.

60:42

Zoumana Bakayogo takes a shot. Save made by Marek Stech. Inswinging corner taken by Adam McGurk from the right by-line, clearance made by Dan Burn.

58:31

Foul by Edward Upson on James Wallace, free kick awarded. Ben Gibson restarts play with the free kick.

57:40

Adam McGurk concedes a free kick for a foul on Keanu Marsh-Brown. Direct free kick taken by James McAllister.

56:55

James Hayter concedes a free kick for a foul on Ash Taylor. Direct free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

54:17

Adam McGurk concedes a free kick for a foul on Keanu Marsh-Brown. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Edward Upson from right wing, Richard Hinds concedes a free kick for a foul on Ash Taylor. Free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

53:35

Outswinging corner taken by Edward Upson from the right by-line.

52:45

Foul by James McAllister on Abdulai Bell-Baggie, free kick awarded. Danny Holmes takes the free kick.

51:05

Adam McGurk takes a shot.

50:28

Save by Marek Stech.

50:28 Goal scored

Goal - Jake Cassidy - Tranmere 2 - 2 Yeovil Goal scored by Jake Cassidy from inside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Tranmere 2-2 Yeovil.

49:43

Centre by Adam McGurk, Richard Hinds manages to make a clearance.

47:01

The ball is crossed by Sam Foley, Ben Gibson manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Edward Upson from the right by-line, Foul by James Hayter on Owain Fon Williams, free kick awarded. Owain Fon Williams takes the free kick.

46:26

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Edward Upson from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Jake Cassidy.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Cole Stockton replaces Joe Thompson.

45:00 +2:17 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +1:55

The ball is crossed by Adam McGurk.

45:00 +0:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Abdulai Bell-Baggie by Sam Foley. Direct free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

44:35

Assist by Adam McGurk.

44:35 Goal scored

Goal - James Wallace - Tranmere 1 - 2 Yeovil Goal scored by James Wallace from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Tranmere 1-2 Yeovil.

43:50

Sam Foley is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Centre by Adam McGurk,

41:56

Free kick crossed right-footed by Adam McGurk, Korey Smith makes a clearance.

41:56 Booking

Booking Joe Edwards is cautioned.

41:20

Foul by Joe Edwards on Joe Thompson, free kick awarded.

40:12 Booking

Booking James Wallace shown a yellow card.

40:05 Booking

Booking Korey Smith goes into the book.

38:48

Unfair challenge on James Wallace by Korey Smith results in a free kick. Zoumana Bakayogo takes the free kick.

38:27

The ball is swung over by Abdulai Bell-Baggie. The ball is swung over by Abdulai Bell-Baggie, clearance by Keanu Marsh-Brown.

37:30

The offside flag is raised against Adam McGurk. Indirect free kick taken by Marek Stech.

35:03

The ball is crossed by Edward Upson, Korey Smith has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright. Effort from outside the area by Sam Foley goes wide right of the goal. Paddy Madden takes a shot. Save by Owain Fon Williams.

36:45

Adam McGurk decides to take the corner short.

35:03

A cross is delivered by Edward Upson, Korey Smith produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net. Sam Foley has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses right. Paddy Madden takes a shot. Save made by Owain Fon Williams.

34:01

Centre by Joe Thompson, Richard Hinds makes a clearance.

33:33

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Hayter on Ash Taylor. Owain Fon Williams takes the direct free kick.

32:26

Abdulai Bell-Baggie sends in a cross, Dan Burn manages to make a clearance. Joe Thompson delivers the ball, Dan Burn makes a clearance. James Wallace has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.

31:28

A cross is delivered by Adam McGurk, Dan Burn makes a clearance.

29:20

Richard Hinds gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam McGurk. Free kick crossed left-footed by Adam McGurk, clearance made by Sam Foley. The ball is sent over by Adam McGurk.

28:08

The assist for the goal came from Paddy Madden.

28:08 Goal scored

Goal - Sam Foley - Tranmere 0 - 2 Yeovil Sam Foley grabs a goal from inside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Tranmere 0-2 Yeovil.

26:13

Foul by Ash Taylor on Sam Foley, free kick awarded. Edward Upson crosses the ball in from the free kick, Jake Cassidy manages to make a clearance.

23:15

James McAllister takes a shot. Save made by Owain Fon Williams. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Edward Upson from the right by-line, Adam McGurk makes a clearance. Foul by Richard Hinds on Abdulai Bell-Baggie, free kick awarded. James Wallace takes the free kick.

22:27

The assistant referee signals for offside against Joe Thompson. Marek Stech takes the direct free kick.

20:35

Joe Thompson fouled by Dan Burn, the ref awards a free kick.

20:29

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Adam McGurk from the right by-line, Joe Edwards manages to make a clearance. Corner from the left by-line taken by Adam McGurk, clearance by Richard Hinds.

20:29 Booking

Booking Caution for Dan Burn.

19:18

The ball is swung over by Abdulai Bell-Baggie, save by Marek Stech.

17:23

Edward Upson takes the outswinging corner, Unfair challenge on James Wallace by Richard Hinds results in a free kick. Owain Fon Williams restarts play with the free kick.

14:54

Unfair challenge on Ben Gibson by James Hayter results in a free kick. Ben Gibson restarts play with the free kick.

14:30

The assistant referee flags for offside against Adam McGurk. Marek Stech takes the indirect free kick.

14:18

The ball is delivered by Joe Thompson, clearance by Sam Foley.

13:58

A cross is delivered by Liam Palmer, clearance made by Edward Upson.

12:27

Unfair challenge on Joe Thompson by Joe Edwards results in a free kick. Zoumana Bakayogo takes the free kick.

11:39

A cross is delivered by James Wallace, save made by Marek Stech.

11:14

Paddy Madden sends in a cross, save by Owain Fon Williams.

10:39

The ball is delivered by Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Strike by Adam McGurk from inside the six-yard box clear the bar.

9:23

The referee blows for offside. Owain Fon Williams takes the indirect free kick.

9:03

Abdulai Bell-Baggie sends in a cross.

8:03 Goal scored

Goal - Paddy Madden - Tranmere 0 - 1 Yeovil Paddy Madden fires in a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. Tranmere 0-1 Yeovil.

7:28

James McAllister challenges Abdulai Bell-Baggie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Holmes takes the direct free kick.

6:23

Outswinging corner taken by Abdulai Bell-Baggie from the left by-line, Edward Upson makes a clearance. Centre by Danny Holmes.

4:36

James Hayter gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ash Taylor. Owain Fon Williams takes the direct free kick.

3:46

James Wallace takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.

2:32

Unfair challenge on Liam Palmer by James Hayter results in a free kick. Owain Fon Williams takes the direct free kick.

1:49

The ball is swung over by James Hayter, save by Owain Fon Williams.

0:42

The ball is swung over by Adam McGurk, Jake Cassidy takes a shot. Save by Marek Stech. Corner taken by Abdulai Bell-Baggie, save by Marek Stech.

0:42

A cross is delivered by Adam McGurk, Jake Cassidy takes a shot. Save by Marek Stech. Corner taken right-footed by Joe Edwards, save made by Owain Fon Williams.

0:00

The game begins.

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