MANAGER Gary Brabin said that there were pleasing aspects to the performance after a young Tranmere Rovers side were defeated 1-0 at Bangor City last night.

Goalkeeper Luke Pilling made the first save of the game after seven minutes.

Following a corner, the ball was headed of Bangor captain Leon Clowes, but Pilling proiduced an excellent reflex save.

Pilling went on to make three more good stops as the half wore on to prevent Rovers from falling behind, while at the other end, Tranmere had a couple of chances which were narrowly off target as the first half ended goalless.

Bangor took the lead ten minutes after the break.

A 20-yard strike by Les Davies was good enough to beat Pilling and make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Rovers hit the bar through a 20-yard effort by a trialist, while the same player forced Bangor goalkeeper Connor Roberts into a save to tip over a shot destined for the top corner.

Despite further pressure on the Bangor goal, Tranmere couldn't make the breakthrough and the hosts held on to their advantage.

Brabin said: "We're heading in the right direction but we've still got a bit to do.

"I thought it was a good run out again. It was much better than the one against Cammell Laird on Saturday and I was pleased with some of the young lads we had playing tonight.

"I said before the game to the young lads that this was a good test for them. For the past five or six years they've qualified for Europe so we knew it was a tough test and they'll have learned a lot from that.

"We had two young lads at the heart of the defence and I thought they both did well, they'll be disappointed that we've conceded and I thought young Luke Pilling was excellent behind them.

"There were a lot of pleasing aspects, of course it's disappointing to get beat but it was a good workout for the lads and it's another game towards our target which is the start of the season."

Tranmere are back in pre-season action this Friday night when they host Championship side Blackburn Rovers at Prenton Park.