Tranmere Rovers2-0Oldham Athletic

Tranmere Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to the League Two season with a deserved 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Prenton Park, Dylan Jones' first-half finish and Joe Ironside's late penalty settling an entertaining contest.

Darrell Clarke sent Rovers out in a 4-2-3-1 formation and they made the brighter start. Jones gave an early warning after six minutes when his left-footed effort from the middle of the penalty area was saved by Mathew Hudson, following Jacob Slater's delivery. Oldham collected two early bookings as they attempted to interrupt Tranmere's rhythm, but the breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute.

It was a sharp counter-attack, with Tom Ince supplying Jones in the centre of the box. The striker finished right-footed into the bottom-left corner to put Rovers ahead and register his reward for a lively opening. Tranmere continued to look for openings, with Tom Conlon seeing a shot blocked just before the half-hour, although the visitors gradually began to offer more of a threat.

Oldham's best opportunities before the interval came during a spell of pressure late in the half. Favour Fawunmi had one effort blocked before Luke McGee saved Keenan Appiah-Forson's attempt from close range. Kane Drummond was also denied by the Rovers defence, while Ryan Delaney headed wide following a set piece. Jacob Slater was booked shortly before the break, but Tranmere protected their one-goal advantage and went in ahead.

Oldham introduced Mike Fondop and Calum Kavanagh at half-time and began the second period with renewed purpose. The visitors generated several chances from corners and crosses: Delaney headed over, Drummond twice missed the target and Kavanagh was denied by McGee before sending the rebound wide. Rovers had to defend with discipline as Oldham searched for an equaliser.

Clarke freshened his side by replacing Zane Okoro with Ironside after 56 minutes, before Sam Finley came on for Conlon five minutes later. Lee O'Connor and David Kamara then replaced Charlie Whitaker and goalscorer Jones in the 68th minute. The changes helped Tranmere regain a measure of control. Ironside forced Hudson into a save with a 74th-minute header and Kamara had a shot blocked soon afterwards.

The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Gus Scott-Morriss handled inside the penalty area. Ironside took responsibility and calmly sent the resulting spot kick into the bottom-left corner a minute later, doubling the lead and giving Rovers valuable breathing space.

Oldham kept pushing during the closing stages, but McGee ensured there would be no late complication. The goalkeeper saved Scott-Morriss's long-range effort and then denied Fondop from close range in stoppage time before the striker headed narrowly wide. Tom Ince was booked in the 90th minute, but Rovers saw out the remaining time to complete the victory and secure a clean sheet.

The result leaves Tranmere fourth in the 2026/27 League Two table with nine points from five matches, having won twice and drawn three times. Oldham finish the day in 10th place with seven points. More importantly, Rovers remain unbeaten and have added a convincing home win to a hugely encouraging opening month of the campaign.