MICKY’S GOT THE TASTE BUT WILL NOT BE GREEDY

VERDICT: Tranmere dominated from start to finish and were good value for the win. They took their foot off the gas a little after the break, but the damage had already been done

MICKY Mellon admits it would be ‘greedy’ to expect Tranmere to win by more than their 2-0 margin yesterday – but their performance certainly deserved it.

Rovers dominated against promotion rivals Dagenham, who extended their poor run of form to just one win in eight.

By contrast, the Wirral club’s slow start to the campaign is well and truly behind them.

They have lost just once in nine, and although Tranmere are yet to really surge up the table, it feels like they have turned a corner.

“We’re delighted to score a couple of goals,” Mellon said, “we might have got a few more. To get a clean sheet as well was very important to us, so there are plenty of positives.

“The game asks you certain questions and you’ve got to be able to answer it. I think we did that. We had a few chances to get that third goal, but that would be a wee bit greedy. The boys were superb.”

James Norwood netted Tranmere’s opener, twisting and turning as he charged into the box following a cleverly worked one-two with Andy Cook.

After leaving one Dagenham defender on his backside and a couple of others in his wake, the striker drove a shot across goal and in at the far post.

Cook soon had a couple of chances of his own, firstly heading off target before testing the keeper with a low shot from near the penalty spot. The hosts were hit by a couple of injuries as Mitch Duggan and Jeff Hughes were both forced off, but it did not stop them doubling their advantage just before the break.

Midfielder Ollie Norburn got it, meeting a deep corner from Liam Ridehalgh and superbly volleying across Mark Cousins from a tight angle.

“It’s a terrific goal,” Mellon added. “He’s a very talented lad. We know how capable a footballer he is.”

Dagenham finally registered their first shot after half-time, although Michael Cheek headed harmlessly wide.

Tranmere could have added a third as Norwood, Cook and Larnell Cole all fired off target, with the former having the best chance as he slid just wide from 18-yards out.

Meanwhile Scott Davies did have a couple of saves to make, first catching a Charlie Adams stinger from distance before tipping Elliot Romain’s effort around the post.

Visiting manager John Still admitted: “The best team won the game. They were the much better side in the first half and were deservedly in front.

“We’ve rallied in the second half but not done enough to get back into it.”