Two first half goals from promotion-chasing Tranmere were enough to send the home side back into the play-off places at Prenton Park on Friday night.

Steve Jennings opened the scoring with a fortunate first strike on 12 minutes before Chris Greenacre doubled the lead in controversial circumstances five minutes before the break.

The striker's effort was saved by Brezovan on the line, although the assistant referee's flag signalled the goal which ultimately condemned Town to defeat on the road despite Billy Payter's second half strike.

Swindon Town made three changes for the trip to Prenton Park with Lee Peacock, Billy Paynter and Jamie Vincent recalled to the starting line-up.

Billy Paynter replaced Barry Corr up front after the Irishman was forced off with a shoulder injury before half-time in Monday's home defeat to Southend United.
Elsewhere Jamie Vincent returned from injury at left-back with Miguel Comminges switching to right-back, with Lee Peacock also replacing Michael Timlin.

Jack Smith missed out although was named on a bench which also included Kaid Mohamed, for his first inclusion since returning from a loan spell at Torquay United.

Swindon kicked the game off and were soon on the attack with Anthony McNamee firing in a first minute cross which was gathered low by Danny Coyne in the Rovers goal.

Town's first corner followed on four minutes with McNamee once again involved in what had been a sharp start to the opening exchanges from the visitors. The first real chance of the encounter fell Swindon's way. After good work from Paynter on the right, McGovern's inviting cross was just too quick for the onrushing Cox who had steamed in eight yards out.

The promising Swindon started was smashed on twelve minutes when Tranmere Rovers took the lead with a fortunate opener. A through ball from Shane Sherriff found Steve Jennings who was the eventual scorer. Miguel Comminges' attempted clearance struck Jennings and the ball ballooned into the net to hand the home side a fortuitous opener.

It could have been 2-0 just minutes later when Sherriff was found unmarked at the back post. However his left foot strike from eight yards was blocked by Brezovan and Swindon survived.

Swindon almost struck back on sixteen minutes although Anthony McNamee's lobbed effort from just inside the box was headed off the line by former MK Dons man Ben Chorley.

Simon Cox was denied by Coyne from the edge of the box but his effort flew straight into the arms of the Tranmere keeper as the rain continued to fall at Prenton Park.

Jennison Myrie-Williams saw his low drive blocked by Brezovan ten minutes before the break although the big Slovakian had to claim the ball at the second attempt with Chris Greenacre close by.

Lee Peacock's right foot shot was deflected into the arms of Coyne at the other end from close range, perhaps an example of Swindon's lack of luck in front of goal.

Town were 2-0 down on 40 minutes with a debatable second. A corner came out to Sherriff whose cross back in fell to predatory front man Chris Greenacre who saw his close range effort saved by Brezovan on the line although the assistant referee on the far touchline indicated that the ball had crossed the line. The Town players were furious; none more so than Brezovan who kicked the post in frustration having felt that his reaction save had kept the ball out.

Half-Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 Swindon Town 0

Maurice Malpas made no changes at the break and his side made a promising start to the second half. Town won three successive corners inside the first five minutes of the new half.

The first chance of the second period came from the third corner which saw Aljofree rise high to meet McGovern's centre although his looping effort was cleared off the line by Chris Greenacre.

Craig Easton then tried his luck from the edge of the box on 54 minutes but his effort rolled wide of Coyne's right hand post in front of the travelling band of Town fans.

The Robins supporters then saw Lee Peacock's drive from the angle easily gathered by Coyne in the Tranmere goal with the visitors still trying to create an opening despite plenty of second half possession.

Town struck back in style on 68 minutes. A ball from McGovern found Cox in space on the right hand side and he stripped Goodison for pace before advancing to the by-line. He continued his run towards goal and unselfishly squared the ball to Paynter who had the easy task of tapping home from two yards.

Manager Maurice Malpas made his first change of the evening on 72 minutes as he introduced Kaid Mohamed into the action on with Jon-Paul McGovern making way.

The home side could have made the game safe on 78 minutes but were denied by a fine save from Brezovan. A quick break from Moore's men saw Chris Greenacre and Ian Moore in a two on one situation. Having committed Aljofree, Greenacre's pass found Moore who saw his 20 yard effort well-saved by the Town keeper.

Michael Timlin was then thrown on for the final nine minutes with Craig Easton withdrawn for the closing stages.

Simon Cox came close to drawing his side level with a 20-yard rasping shot which fell narrowly wide before Moore saw his low drive gathered by Brezovan at the other end.

The final chance for Swindon in normal time fell to Cox who headed narrowly wide from a deep left wing cross from McNamee.

After three minutes of added time the referee brought a close to what was an unfortunate defeat for Swindon, who despite an improved performance, were undone by two fortunate strikes from the home side.

Full-Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 Swindon Town 1

Goals: Jennings '11, Greenacre '40, Paynter '68

Swindon Town: Peter Brezovan; Miguel Comminges, Jerel Ifil, Hasney Aljofree ©, Jamie Vincent; Jon-Paul McGovern (Mohamed '72), Craig Easton (Timlin '81), Lee Peacock, Anthony McNamee; Billy Paynter, Simon Cox

Substitutes: Phil Smith (GK), Blair Sturrock, Michael Timlin, Kaid Mohamed, Jack Smith

Attendance: 5,815

Referee: Mr R Lewis