On-loan striker Chris Porter scored on his debut as Shrewsbury Town denied 10-man Tranmere Rovers the chance to return to the top of League One.

Rovers made a bad start, with Liam Palmer sent off for a dangerous lunge on Joe Jacobson in the sixth minute.

Porter, on loan from Sheffield United, then swivelled to fire into an empty net after keeper Owain Fon Williams spilled Matt Richards' hanging cross.

  • Shrewsbury, who climb two places to 17th, have not won at home since 15 December, but they have been beaten just once in six matches on the road - and have won the last two of them.

On-loan West Brom defender Cameron Gayle sealed victory with a header.

Tranmere began the game in disastrous fashion when, after miscontrolling, Palmer was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Jacobson. And it went from bad to worse only four minutes later when Fon Williams fumbled and Porter pounced.

Fon Williams redeemed himself with a brilliant diving save to deny David McAllister's low shot, then Porter missed his kick with the goal gaping after the break before McAllister shot over.

But, after Fon Williams made another fine save to deny Porter, Shrewsbury sealed victory from the resulting corner on 67 minutes when Gayle nodded in with the keeper stranded.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Tranmere Rovers manager Ronnie Moore told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"Some people are saying it was a sending-off and some were saying it wasn't - but it's certainly affected the game.

"We were down to 10 men after 10 minutes, and then our goalkeeper who's been fantastic all season - you can't legislate for what's happened there.

"We're disappointed because it's a game we've lost, which on paper we could have won. If we have 11 against 11, I think we win the game."

Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"Our away record hasn't been too bad of late and defensively we've been reasonable. Our goal difference is now down to -4, which could be crucial at the end of the season.

"We hope not and that we'll have pulled well away from the relegation zone. Only time will tell how big a three points that will be.

"Sometimes it's more difficult to play against 10 men, especially a decent team like Tranmere and on such a tricky pitch. It takes a little bit of courage when you're down the bottom of the table to have the confidence to pass the ball.

"The red card was a long way from where I'm stood at pitch level. From people who've seen replays, it's most probably justified. Joe Jacobson doesn't go down too readily."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Tranmere Rovers

  • 01 fon Williams
  • 02 Holmes (Harrison - 70' )
  • 04 Taylor Booked
  • 14 Bakayogo
  • 23 Daniels
  • 06 Palmer Dismissed
  • 10 Robinson
  • 17 Power
  • 11 McGurk
  • 16 Stockton (Corry - 69' )
  • 20 O'Halloran (Amoo - 81' )

Substitutes

  • 33 Mooney
  • 03 Black
  • 05 Goodison
  • 12 Harrison
  • 24 Corry
  • 18 Amoo
  • 22 Bell-Baggie

Shrewsbury Town

  • 01 Weale
  • 03 Jacobson
  • 05 Jones
  • 12 Edwards
  • 30 Gayle
  • 08 Richards
  • 15 McGinn
  • 17 Parry (Purdie - 84' )
  • 19 McAllister
  • 10 Morgan (Rodgers - 78' )
  • 21 Porter

Substitutes

  • 25 Anyon
  • 23 Mambo
  • 04 Summerfield
  • 06 Purdie
  • 20 Wildig
  • 09 Bradshaw
  • 29 Rodgers
Ref: Brown
Att: 9,127

Match Stats

Shots

16 12

On target

6 7

Corners

7 4

Fouls

9 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:12 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +4:49

Effort on goal by Matthew Richards from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

90:00 +3:55

Adam McGurk is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

90:00 +1:47

The ball is delivered by Max Power, blocked by Matthew Richards. Short corner taken by Andy Robinson. Andy Robinson produces a cross.

90:00 +1:27

Short corner taken by Andy Robinson.

90:00 +0:50

Corner taken by Adam McGurk from the right by-line played to the near post, David McAllister makes a clearance.

87:22

The ball is sent over by David McAllister, Donervorn Daniels manages to make a clearance.

86:31

Andy Robinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Rodgers. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Stephen McGinn, Paul Corry makes a clearance.

83:40

Direct free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

83:40 Substitution

Substitution Robert Purdie comes on in place of Paul Parry.

83:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Corry by David McAllister.

82:06

Unfair challenge on Adam McGurk by Darren Jones results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Andy Robinson from right channel, David McAllister manages to make a clearance. David McAllister concedes a free kick for a foul on Zoumana Bakayogo. Free kick crossed left-footed by Paul Corry from left wing, Chris Weale makes a save.

81:29

Centre by Zoumana Bakayogo, Adam McGurk has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

80:33 Substitution

Substitution (Tranmere) makes a substitution, with David Amoo coming on for Michael O'Halloran.

80:22

Andy Robinson has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the target.

79:55

Adam McGurk has a drilled shot. Blocked by Cameron Gayle.

77:44 Substitution

Substitution Luke Rodgers on for Marvin Morgan.

77:25

Effort from range distance by Donervorn Daniels goes wide of the right-hand upright.

76:46

Corner taken right-footed by Max Power to the near post, clearance by Matthew Richards.

75:57

The ball is delivered by Andy Robinson, Darren Jones makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Andy Robinson from the left by-line played to the near post, Darren Jones manages to make a clearance. Max Power takes a shot. Matthew Richards gets a block in.

71:24

Andy Robinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marvin Morgan. Stephen McGinn crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by Paul Corry.

70:37

Paul Corry sends in a cross.

69:10 Substitution

Substitution Danny Harrison comes on in place of Danny Holmes.

68:03 Substitution

Substitution Paul Corry comes on in place of Cole Stockton.

66:54

Assist on the goal came from Stephen McGinn.

66:54 Goal scored

Goal - Cameron Gayle - Tranmere 0 - 2 Shrewsbury Cameron Gayle scores a headed goal from close in. Tranmere 0-2 Shrewsbury.

66:46

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Stephen McGinn,

66:20

Matthew Richards sends in a cross, Chris Porter takes a shot. Save made by Owain Fon Williams.

65:48

Corner taken left-footed by Matthew Richards from the right by-line, Owain Fon Williams makes a save.

65:32

Max Power sends in a cross, David McAllister manages to make a clearance.

64:51

The ball is swung over by Marvin Morgan, David McAllister takes a shot. Clearance by Ash Taylor.

62:26

The ball is crossed by Max Power, save by Chris Weale.

62:07

Zoumana Bakayogo sends in a cross, clearance made by Darren Jones.

61:48

Michael O'Halloran takes a shot. Blocked by Darren Jones.

60:27

A cross is delivered by Cameron Gayle, Ash Taylor manages to make a clearance.

59:45

The referee blows for offside against Michael O'Halloran. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

59:02

Centre by Paul Parry.

58:10

Effort from the edge of the box by Michael O'Halloran goes wide of the right-hand upright.

57:31

Effort from deep inside the area by David McAllister clears the bar.

56:53

Marvin Morgan fouled by Andy Robinson, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Weale takes the direct free kick.

55:22

The ball is crossed by Zoumana Bakayogo, clearance by Rob Edwards. Effort on goal by Cole Stockton from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.

54:59

Andy Robinson takes a shot. Chris Weale makes a save.

51:39

Joe Jacobson takes the direct free kick.

51:39 Booking

Booking Caution for Ash Taylor.

51:16

Stephen McGinn fouled by Ash Taylor, the ref awards a free kick.

50:55

Marvin Morgan challenges Donervorn Daniels unfairly and gives away a free kick. Max Power takes the direct free kick.

49:55

David McAllister takes a shot. Save made by Owain Fon Williams.

49:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Cameron Gayle on Zoumana Bakayogo. Free kick taken by Max Power.

46:52

Corner taken by Andy Robinson, Donervorn Daniels has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +3:15 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +2:59

Adam McGurk delivers the ball.

45:00 +2:18

The ball is delivered by Ash Taylor, save made by Chris Weale.

45:00 +1:18

Adam McGurk takes a shot. Save by Chris Weale.

45:00 +0:56

Foul by Stephen McGinn on Adam McGurk, free kick awarded. Danny Holmes takes the free kick.

44:22

Michael O'Halloran is caught offside. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

43:08

The ball is delivered by Andy Robinson, Joe Jacobson manages to make a clearance.

42:33

Corner taken right-footed by Andy Robinson to the near post, clearance by Joe Jacobson.

41:11

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Richards played to the near post, clearance made by Adam McGurk.

39:46

Foul by Andy Robinson on Chris Porter, free kick awarded. Chris Weale restarts play with the free kick.

39:16

Matthew Richards takes a shot. Danny Holmes gets a block in.

34:23

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Stephen McGinn, Darren Jones has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

34:09

David McAllister takes a shot. Save by Owain Fon Williams.

33:06

Unfair challenge on Zoumana Bakayogo by Chris Porter results in a free kick. Owain Fon Williams takes the direct free kick.

32:11

Marvin Morgan produces a cross.

28:14

David McAllister fouled by Cole Stockton, the ref awards a free kick. Rob Edwards takes the direct free kick.

27:18

Foul by Marvin Morgan on Zoumana Bakayogo, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

25:19

Adam McGurk crosses the ball, Cole Stockton has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.

21:56

Paul Parry has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

19:20

Donervorn Daniels fouled by Marvin Morgan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

19:01

The ball is delivered by Michael O'Halloran, save made by Chris Weale.

18:51

Marvin Morgan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Robinson. Andy Robinson takes the direct free kick.

18:10

Michael O'Halloran sends in a cross.

16:17

The ball is delivered by Paul Parry, save by Owain Fon Williams.

14:34

Danny Holmes has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

12:57

Unfair challenge on Cameron Gayle by Zoumana Bakayogo results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Richards from right wing, Unfair challenge on Donervorn Daniels by Marvin Morgan results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Owain Fon Williams.

11:24

Andy Robinson has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide left of the goal.

9:36

The assist for the goal came from Matthew Richards.

9:36 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Porter - Tranmere 0 - 1 Shrewsbury A goal is scored by Chris Porter from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Tranmere 0-1 Shrewsbury.

5:24

Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

5:24 Dismissal

Dismissal Liam Palmer is sent off by the referee.

5:00

Unfair challenge on Joe Jacobson by Liam Palmer results in a free kick.

3:24

Marvin Morgan takes a shot. Blocked by Ash Taylor.

2:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by Cole Stockton on Stephen McGinn. Matthew Richards crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.

1:42

Adam McGurk has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.

0:13

David McAllister challenges Andy Robinson unfairly and gives away a free kick. A cross is delivered by Zoumana Bakayogo, Donervorn Daniels takes a shot. Chris Weale makes a comfortable save.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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