Tranmere 1-0 Barnsley

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A second-minute goal from Graham Allen was enough to earn Tranmere a win over Barnsley.

The result was tough on managerless Barnsley, who made much of the running but enjoyed little luck in front of goal.

The visitors paid dearly when they conceded a free-kick just outside the box in the second minute.

They failed to clear the cross by Mickey Mellon and the unmarked Allen was able to net at the far post.

Barnsley keeper Andy Marriott made a fine diving save at the feet of Gary Jones and the visitors then took up the running.

Chris Lumsdon and Leo Bertos forced fine saves from Tranmere keeper John Achterberg, and Lumsdon put a 20-yarder inches wide of the left-hand post.

Tranmere hung on desperately, with skipper Mellon setting a fine example.

Marriott did well to keep out a Tom Curtis effort for the Merseysiders, but Barnsley rallied again only for Lumsdon to see a 25-yard strike headed off the line by Shane Nicholson with Achterberg stranded.

Substitute Bruce Dyer got clear in the dying moments, but saw his lob over the keeper bounce just wide of the left-hand post.

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Tranmere: Achterberg, Allen, Taylor, Nicholson, Connelly, Edwards, Mellon, Harrison, Curtis, Barlow, Jones. Subs: Roberts, Sharps, Parkinson, Hay, Whitehead.

Barnsley: Marriott, Mulligan, Morgan, Lumsdon, Gibbs, O'Callaghan, Neil, Bertos, Gorre, Betsy, Fallon. Subs: Flynn, Dyer, Ghent, Williams, Austin.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).