Loan star kickstarts Rovers

Saturday 25 January 2014 19:30, UK

Tranmere's on-loan defender Matthew Pennington netted his first senior goal to help his new club secure a 1-0 success against Crewe.

Pennington, who joined on a month-long loan from Everton earlier this month, headed home Jason Koumas' corner in the 28th minute to give Rovers their first win of the year. Tranmere could have taken a 21st-minute lead when Evan Horwood's cross rebounded towards Matthew Kennedy on the edge of the six-yard box, but Harry Davis atoned for his earlier poor clearance. The home side opened the scoring when Pennington placed an unmarked header beyond Ben Garratt from Koumas' corner while Byron Moore flashed across the home side's goal shortly after the break. Referee Scott Mathieson waved away two quick-fire Crewe penalty appeals to frustrate the visitors further and Steve Jennings almost doubled Tranmere's advantage with a 25-yard strike. Jennings' effort whistled just past the post before Rovers keeper Owain fon Williams gathered Chuks Aneke's late effort as Tranmere won their first game in five.