Tranmere Rovers1-0Shrewsbury Town

Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town: Dylan Jones made an immediate impact from the bench as Rovers opened their EFL Trophy campaign with a hard-earned victory at Prenton Park. The substitute struck in the 69th minute, only five minutes after his introduction, converting David Kamara's pass from close range to settle a tight group-stage contest.

Darrell Clarke selected a 3-5-2 formation, with Coniah Boyce-Clarke in goal behind Lee O'Connor, George Nevett and Patrick Brough. Olly Scott and James Plant occupied the wide roles, while Charlie Veevers, Lewis Warrington and Ryan Watson formed the midfield. Kamara partnered Courtney Baker-Richardson in attack.

Rovers produced the first real opening after 12 minutes. Veevers delivered from a corner and Nevett met the cross in the centre of the area, but his header drifted narrowly wide. Baker-Richardson then tried his luck from distance two minutes later after being found by O'Connor, although his right-footed effort missed to the left.

Shrewsbury carried a threat of their own. Boyce-Clarke dealt comfortably with Michael Golding's 19th-minute drive, before George Lloyd lifted an effort just over following a quick break. Lee Isaac also headed over from close range, while Tom Sang sent a shot wide from outside the box. The visitors continued to press before the interval, but Rovers held firm and the sides went in goalless.

Shrewsbury began the second half with renewed purpose. Isaac Fletcher had one effort blocked and another header saved by Boyce-Clarke during a spell of pressure shortly after the restart, while Isaac headed wide from an Arkell Jude-Boyd cross. Scott was booked in the 50th minute as Rovers worked to contain the visitors.

Clarke changed the shape of the contest with a triple substitution between the 63rd and 64th minutes. Bobby Faulkner replaced Scott, Zane Okoro came on for Baker-Richardson and Jones took over from Plant. The decisive moment followed almost immediately. In the 69th minute Kamara supplied the final pass and Jones finished left-footed from very close range into the bottom-left corner for his first senior Tranmere goal.

The visitors sought a response and forced Rovers to defend their advantage. Boyce-Clarke saved Isaac's 75th-minute header, while Fletcher sent another headed chance wide a minute later. Faulkner helped Rovers compete higher up the pitch and Jones continued to work defensively as Shrewsbury tried to build pressure.

Sam Mann replaced Veevers in the 89th minute before four minutes of added time were announced. Kamara came close to adding a second with a shot from outside the area in the 93rd minute, then made way for Jack McEvilly. Rovers saw out the remaining seconds to secure a clean sheet and a 1-0 victory, with Jones's sharp finish providing the difference on a productive EFL Trophy night at Prenton Park.