MOORE’S ABSENCE HAS NO ILL EFFECT
DOMINANT Tranmere shrugged off manager Ronnie Moore's suspension to give caretaker boss John McMahon a vital three points as Ryan Lowe's 17th goal of the season lit the touchpaper on a comfortable win over free-falling Coventry.
Lowe struck from the penalty spot to give Rovers the edge before a Conor Thomas own goal doubled their advantage as McMahon took control while the FA conducts its investigation into Moore's alleged breach of betting rules.
Jake Kirby came on to add Tranmere's third goal while Michael Petrasso gave City fans some consolation.
But McMahon was proud of the way Rovers’ players remained focussed despite Moore's absence.
“The performance typifies the way the players have dealt with the last week,” McMahon said.
“There was enthusiasm, commitment, passion and there have been a lot of good vibes around the place.
“Hopefully we can maintain that and the fact that I am on the training ground every day and in every session means that taking over picking the team has been pretty much a seamless transition.
“Ronnie Moore is still the manager until such time as we hear different and the situation is not for me to comment on.
“The players gave me their backing and support and I am proud of how professional they have been in their performance.” Stephen Arthurworrey produced a good one-handed save from Joe Murphy when he met an early Jason Koumas free-kick.
But Lowe rolled home the opener on 12 minutes after Matthew Pennington was felled by Billy Daniels. Matthew Kennedy spurned a glorious chance to put Rovers further in front when he combined with fellow Everton loanee Pennington before heading over the crossbar.
Carl Baker almost made them pay when the Coventry captain saw two stinging shots saved by Owain Fon Williams before the Tranmere stopper also denied Franck Moussa on the follow-up.
Koumas proved instrumental after the break when Thomas headed into his own net from the Welshman's 48th minute set-piece.
And Kirby made it three-nil just seven minutes after coming on when he latched onto Kennedy's low cross soon after the hour.
Petrasso pulled one back for City when he slotted the ball past Fon Williams 11 minutes from time but Andy Robinson almost restored Rovers' three goal advantage when he tested Murphy in injury-time.
Coventry boss Steven Pressley said: “We looked like we accepted defeated too soon.
“We lacked a cutting edge and we needed to create more than we did.
“Tranmere set themselves up very well but we expected to come here and get something. Games can change quickly and we have to have a better mentality.”
TRANMERE: (4-5-1) Fon Williams 9, Ridehalgh 7, Arthurworrey 8, Taylor 7, Pennington 7, Kennedy 7 (Robinson 85 N/A), Koumas 9, Wallace 8, Jennings 7, Lowe 7 (Kirby 57 8), Cassidy 6 (Stockton 66 6) Subs not used: Holmes, Goodison, Power, Mooney
COVENTRY: (4-5-1) Murphy 7, Clarke 6, Seaborne 6, Webster 6, Christie 7 (Willis 73 6), Moussa 6, Daniels 5 (Marshall 66 6), Fleck 6, Thomas 6, Petrasso 6, Baker 7 (McGeough 75 6) Subs
not used: Adams, Barton, Maund, Burge.