Southampton came to Prenton Park on the back for two five goal victories, beating leaders Norwich away recently and not having lost a game in 2010. That was all to go out the window as Ian Thomas-Moore struck the winner for Rovers in a 2-1 victory, begun by Marlon Broomes' header.

Rovers went with the same side that lost to Huddersfield with Gareth Edds recovering from concussion, and Luke O'Neill keeping his place at right back despite Shay Logan being available. Rovers were also boosted by the return of Bas Savage who was on the bench for the first time in almost a year. So the team looking like this...

The game helped raise awareness of the Help for Heroes campaign, and bagpipes and marches were on show pre-match.  When the players were on the pitch along with the fans, they showed respect for the heroes as well as the Macclesfield Manager Keith Alexander who passed away recently, by means of a minutes applause.

That minute's applause lifted everyone as the home fans were up for it, as well as the good following from Southampton, who almost filled the Cowshed Stand.

Both sides started lively but Rovers made the better start on three minutes with a move straight from the training ground resulting in the home side gaining a surprising lead. 

Paul McLarens free kick was headed back across the penalty area by Gareth Edds and Marlon Broomes stole in to head home from close range with the help of a deflection for his first goal in five and half years.

It could have been two for Rovers soon after when Saints keeper Kelvin Davis hit a rash clearance straight to Gareth Edds a long way out but the Aussie's first time effort went well wide of the mark with the goal gaping.

However Southampton's attacking edge paid off on 12 minutes when Jason Puncheon's cross went through to Adam Lallana at the back post and although his blasted effort was cleared off the line by Ian Goodison, it hit Luke Daniels on its way to Lee Barnard, who blasted in from close range to level.

Rovers reacted well to the leveller and Bakayogo's long range blast rifled just over the crossbar.

From a Southampton corner, Rhadi Jaidi should have given the visitors the lead but somehow failed to connect with his attempted header.

League One's top scorer Rickie Lambert fired wide at the back post, as in form Southampton began to threaten more and he then somehow failed to connect when Adam Lallana's cross went right across the face of goal, and all it needed was a touch from Lambert, another chance going begging.

Rovers could have had a penalty, when Broomes' header appeared to hit a hand before being fired to safety.  That brought an end to a superb first half of football at Prenton Park (for a change).

Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Southampton

The second half began as if there was no half time, as the high tempo was maintained, Edds volleyed over for Rovers and Puncheon lofted a shot over the bar for the visitors.

Craig Curran did well to set himself up and hit a curling volley which Davis held on to well before Lambert hit a free kick just over for Southampton.

Barnard was then denied by a superb low save by Daniels going down low to his left, before Bakayogo did superb to get back and make a clearance.

Then the moment Rovers fans have been pining for, the return of massive striker Bas Savage, he replaced Marvin Sordell to add a new dimension to Rovers attack, much to the delight of the fans who gave him a superb reception.

The striker nearly made an immediate impact when he did well on the right and the ref played advantage after he was fouled, his cross wasn't met by Edds or Curran, before Thomas-Moores back post effort was smothered behind by Davis.

With just over ten minutes left Alan Mahon replaced Paul McLaren and shortly after, Luke Daniels again denied Barnard before Ian Goodison headed Rhadi Jaidi's header off the line.

Then the twist the game had been waiting for, Gareth Edds flick was too quick for the defender and he was hauled down in the area, and the referee had no option but to point to the spot with five minutes left.

Unbelievably it was Rovers first League penalty since Oldham Away almost a year ago and just like on that day Ian Thomas-Moore found the bottom right corner to the relief and delight of the Rovers fans.

Inevitably Southampton threw bodies forward but Rovers defended solidly and fully deserved the massive three points.

Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 1 Southampton

John Welsh

Typified Rovers performance with a 100% committed game, he bullied the Southampton big boys and held his own well.