Tranmere 3 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from Prenton Park | Connor Mahoney on target after Rob Apter (2) and Connor Jennings score for Rovers

Gillingham endured a miserable trip to a Tranmere side who started the afternoon third from bottom in League 2.

The Gills went behind shortly before the break after gifting Rob Apter an opener and two goals in a seven-minute spell early in the second half left Stephen Clemence’s men with too much to do. Connor Mahoney scored in stoppage time direct from a free-kick, a consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat.

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Tranmere had picked up some positive recent results prior to the game, albeit against clubs below them, winning on their previous home outing against Forest Green and picking up a point at Sutton.

The Gills were buoyed by a win of their own, beating Salford in their last game, and were looking to build on that with head coach Stephen Clemence talking pre-match about the importance of building momentum.

Scott Malone returned from injury at left-back for the Gills as the only change from the team which started against Salford.

Gillingham were playing some patient stuff in the opening half and had the majority of the ball, with several chances coming from the left flank. It was a game that took some time to come to life with neither keeper troubled in the opening stages.

Gills tried their luck a couple of times from distance but neither Connor Mahoney or Shad Ogie went close.

The visitors had been unable to make the most of some good early openings as they didn’t have the players in the dangerous areas to make it count.

A double save from Luke McGee denied Scott Malone and Tom Nichols in quick succession, which was the closest they came to scoring in the first 45.

Prior to McGee’s double save the home side got in on goal through Kristian Dennis with almost half an hour