Shaun Rooney fires Fleetwood to victory against Tranmere

Captain Shaun Rooney’s 82nd-minute winner earned a 1-0 Sky Bet League Two win for Carabao Cup quarter-finalists Fleetwood over Tranmere.

Rooney converted an Andy Cannon corner, which was just reward for the home side’s second-half dominance.

The Fylde Coast outfit had not beaten Rovers since 2019, going four league games since then without a goal until the skipper’s late intervention.

The Cod Army’s three points lifted them up to 11th in the table, two points adrift of the play-offs.

While the game will not live long in the memory, Matt Lawlor’s side was good value for the victory.

Rooney produced Town’s first effort with a rising drive after 17 minutes, while team-mate Jake Batty was only denied by the legs of Tranmere goalkeeper Luke McGee.

Rovers, who drop one place to 15th after the defeat, went closest after a 27th-minute goalmouth scramble, with George Nevett’s header forcing Jay Lynch to save on to the crossbar.

But only one team looked likely to prevail after half-time as Crispin McLean forced another save from McGee.

With the game heading for stalemate, Rooney’s second goal of the season proved the difference.