Tranmere Rovers........2

Torquay United...........1

GOALS from Gary Taylor-Fletcher and James Norwood moved Tranmere up to fifth in the National League as Torquay United were eventually overcome at Prenton Park.

With four wins in their last five matches, Gary Brabin knew that a victory against the Gulls could push Rovers into a play-off position should other results go their way.

In a fairly timid opening the visitors had the first chance of the match after three minutes when former Rovers striker Nathan Blissett diverted a header wide of Scott Davies’ goal.

After sustained Tranmere pressure, Rovers’ first opportunity arrived in the 22nd minute when Taylor-Fletcher nodded a ball back off the by-line for Norwood, who’s diving header was pushed away by Daniel Lavercombe.

Mekki then beat two players in one trick before pulling the ball back for Steve Jennings, but the Rovers skipper blazed over from 12 yards out.

Rovers earned a free kick when Angus McDonald brought down Norwood on the edge of the penalty area, picking up a caution for his troubles.

Tranmere took the lead in the 37th minute when Taylor-Fletcher picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and unleashed a stupendous swerving strike that flew into the net off the inside a the post.

It was goal of Premiership quality from the 34-year-old former Leicester City hit man.

Encouraged by what he had seen, Adam Mekki then tried his own outlandish effort, cutting in from the left before blasting one just over the bar.

Jennings then fed Mekki again who forced a routine save out of Lavercombe, as Tranmere finished the half strongly.

Ritchie Sutton replace Steve McNulty at half time with for former Luton Town captain struggling with a dead leg.

Rovers picked up where they left off after the break with Lois Maynard pulling a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

The home side largely dominated the ball with Torquay substitute Sam Chaney shooting comfortably wide from 30 yards on the hour.

Maynard then shot tamely at Lavercombe as the hosts looked to put the result to bed.

Brabin’s whites failed to build on their lead and the unsually quiet Mekki was replaced by Jack Mackreth with 20 minutes to play.

Maynard shot just over the bar again before Rovers eventually doubled their lead with 12 minutes left.

Taylor-Fletcher who was instrumental throughout, found Norwood in the box, who guided the ball into the net for his 10th league goal of the season.

United weren’t finished however and only three minutes later they pulled one back when Shaun Harrad glanced a header past Davies, sparking a nervy finish.

The visitors pressed late on for an equaliser but Rovers held out for a deserved victory that should have been more straight forward than the finale suggested.

Brabin said: “We could have been a bit better in the second half, we were probably not at the same tempo as the first half, but I thought we were still in control.

“And then we got that second goal which, you want to try a relax for a few moments after and just get our shape. It never lasted too long but in the end I thought it was a thoroughly deserved three points.

“Two great goals. Gaz is back with us, trained with us and we need to get him up to speed but at his own pace. He’s come in today and he’s just given us that bit of craft and guile.

“I said to him before the game, you owe us a goal and what a goal it was. It was a cracking goal. Well worth waiting for.

“Good players makes good decisions, I thought we played the conditions well. We were disappointed with the goal we conceded but I don’t think anyone could deny us the three points.”

Match Stats:

Tranmere Rovers: 2 Taylor-Fletcher 37, Norwood 79

Torquay United: 1 Harrad 82

Half time: 1-0

Star man: Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Tranmere forward)

Attendance: 5,053

Entertainment: 3/5

Ref rating: Jason Whiteley (6/10)

Tranmere (4-2-3-1): Davies (player rating) 6; Vaughan 7, McNulty 7 (Sutton 46, 6), Ihiekwe 7, Ridehalgh 6; Jennings 7, Harris 7; Mekki 5 (Mackreth, 71, 0), Maynard 7, Taylor-Feltcher 8; Norwood 7.

Subs not used: Turner, Stockton, Kirby

Macclesfield (4-1-3-2): Lavercombe (player rating) 6, Berry 6, McDonald 5, Smith 5, Nicholson 5 (Chaney 46, 6 (Geohaghon, 87, NA)), Richards 6, Rees 5, Butler 6, Ajala 5, Harrad 7, Blissett 5 (Wright 63, 6).

Subs not used: Fisher, Hancox.

Rovers will host Southport next Saturday at Prenton Park.