Tranmere 1-3 Hull City
Taylor (7) Ellison (43) Price (63) Fagan (69)

Tranmere were missing influential defender Mike Jackson for the game through suspension, while Jason Price was given the nod to start against his former team on the Tigers right wing. New signing Craig Fagan had to be content with a seat on the away bench.

Tranmere started the game the brighter and on 8 minutes full back Ryan Taylor expertly swerved home a 25 yard free-kick past the despairing hand of Hull keeper Bo Myhill. Rovers looked the better team with good movement up front causing the City defence problems but were let down by some poor shooting.

City stuck to the task and nearly leveled the score with a header from the impressive Leon Cort testing John Achterberg in the home goal. Then on 43 minutes Hull equalised - the Tranmere central defence failed to deal with a long ball forward and Kevin Ellison rounded the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net. Rovers had a claim for a penalty before half-time when Ian Ashbee slid in on Eugene Dadi in the box, but the referee saw it the Tigers way and booked the forward for diving.

On the hour mark Craig Fagan came on to make his debut for the Tigers replacing Nick Barmby, and within 3 minutes City were ahead. A through ball from Ellison sent Jason Price clear of the static Rovers defence, who took a touch past the advancing Achterberg before finding the net with a left foot shot.

Hull were on top now and made it 3-1 soon after. Craig Fagan cut inside two defenders to fire home a left foot shot in front of the ecstatic visiting fans. It could have been worse for Tranmere when soon after Ellison hit the bar, but Price could only head the rebound over the top.

Tranmere went on to make a couple of substitutions and tried to get back into the game but it was to no avail, and must now be looking to the play-offs after seeing the top two pull away again. The Tigers next face Hartlepool on Tuesday night in front of what should be a good, happy Hull crowd who now have automatic promotion well within their sights.

Peter Taylor: " I was delighted with our players. After going a goal down which I thought was poor for us... I thought we got stronger and stronger and at half-time we were confident we were going to go and win the match... I thought we were very, very solid and very professional."

Brian Little: "The goal just before half time was a real tonic for them and they didn't look back from there. We were in the game and even at 3-1 had a couple of half chances to get back in it. They were physically stronger than us today and they won the game on the back of that. We've tried our best but we lacked a bit here and there today."

Tranmere: Achterberg, Taylor, Sharps, Goodison, Roberts, Whitmore (Jones 76), McAteer, Rankine, Hall, Hume, Dadi (Dagnall 68). Subs Not Used: Howarth, Harrison, Jennings.

Booked: Hume, Dadi, McAteer.

Hull City: Myhill, Stockdale, Cort, Delaney, Edge, Price, Ashbee, Lewis, Ellison, Elliott (France 80), Barmby (Fagan 60). Subs Not Used: Duke, Hessenthaler, Wilbraham.

Booked: Price, Elliott.

Attendance: 12,684

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

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