Maidstone United 0 Tranmere Rovers 1

MICKY Mellon gave his first team a rest ahead of the promotion playoffs, but that didn't stop a youthful Tranmere overcoming Maidstone United at the Gallagher Stadium.

Sam Ilesanmi scored on his first team debut in the second half and that was enough to steer Rovers to victory, taking their points tally for the season to a club record 95.

With Wednesday's crucial play-off match very much in mind, Mellon named a virtually unrecognisable starting XI with an average age of just 19.

Adam Mekki, Adam Dawson, Erico Sousa and on-loan Aaron Collins were the only established members of the first team squad included, with the latter two making their full debuts.

The rest of the side compromised of youth players all making their debuts. Mekki was handed the captaincy for the day.

Fans' favourite Mekki had the first chance of the match in the seventh minute, jinking inside, but his shot from the edge of the box was pulled wide.

Collins then tried his luck from about 25 yards but could only produce a similar result.

The hosts responded when a shot from Joe Piggot was deflected just wide, as Maidstone looked to exert some pressure on an inexperienced defence.

The Stones forced a succession of corners, which Tranmere just about dealt with, albeit Callum Lucy suffered a blow to the midriff from a botched clearance as a consequence.

Rovers settled and Collins went close on 22 minutes, with a left foot shot, forcing a corner.

Collins should have scored three minutes later when a clever flick Sam Ilesanmi put him clean through but he opted to pull the ball back for Lucy and he could only blaze over the bar.

The hosts then looked set to take the lead when Stuart Lewis found himself through on goal but Luke Pilling got down well to superbly tip the ball round the post.

Bobby-Joe Taylor pull another one wide of Pilling’s goal a minute later as the Stones continued to press.

The debutant Rovers 'keeper was enjoying his moment in the limelight and made another important stop from Yemi Odubade in the middle of the goal.

Seth Nana-Twumasi and Reece Prestedge stuck subsequent efforts wide for the Yellows as half time approached but on balance, Rovers' kids could be satisfied with their first half performance.

Rovers started the second half attacking the new North Stand terrace, with Collins shooting over before Erico Sousa shanked a snap shot wide moments later.

On the turn, Odubade smashed a 20-yard effort just over the bar for Maidstone, as the search for an illusive opener continued.

But it arrived for Tranmere in the 56th minute when Maidstone failed to clear their lines, allowing Dawson to slip a pass through to Ilesanmi, who smashed the ball home from six yards.

The 19-year-old debutant wheeled away in delight towards the travelling Super White Army, where he was mobbed by fans and his teammates.

Rovers nearly doubled their advantage a minute later but Collins was denied by the legs of Maidstone stopper Lee Worgan.

Tranmere were enjoying less pressure after their goal, but Pilling had to be at his best to claw a lob from Alex Fisher out of the top corner with quarter of an hour to play.

Josh Solomon-Davies headed one off the line, as the hosts mustered a late assault on the Tranmere goal.

Substitute Jack Fleming took one full in the gut and Pilling saved from Fisher late on, as Mellon’s pips held firm to record what was undoubtedly a magnificent victory for a team largely comprised of youth players.

But the real business starts on Wednesday night when Tranmere will travel to Aldershot for the first leg of the playoff semi-final.

If they show the same commitment and desire as the second string did in Kent on Saturday, they won’t go to far wrong.

Rovers boss Micky Mellon said afterwards: "It's wonderful isn’t it? There was such much young talent out there – it was great to see their spirit and determination to do well. It’s good for the soul.

"They were absolutely brilliant. I'm so proud of them and they deserve all the credit that’s going to come their way because it’s a fantastic result.

"I'm pretty speechless to be honest. It’s just so nice to see them get the rewards for working so hard. When I saw them score the goal and the way they celebrated, it was priceless.

"Sam Ilesanmi has finished it really well, but right through the team they've done really well.

"To get a clean sheet and win here is always very difficult so it's fantastic.

"The Tranmere fans will be as proud of that result as any this season. It’s that big.

"I was nervous for them. I was thinking 'please, get them over the line', because they deserved it so much. We'll get them some sweets for the journey home".

Match stats

Maidstone United 0

Tranmere Rovers (1 Ilesanmi, 56) 

Half-time: 0-0

Star man: Luke Pilling (Tranmere goalkeeper)

Attendance: 3,409

Entertainment: 2/5

Ref rating: Dean Treleaven (8/10)

Maidstone (4-4-2): Worgan, Mills, Lokko, Lewis, Flisher, Prestedge (Paxman 57), Taylor, Nana-Twumasi, Odubade, Okuonghae (Coyle 65), Pigott (Phipps 88)

Subs not used: Acheampong, McCarthy

Tranmere (4-4-2): Pilling, Solomon-Davies, Drysdale, Gumbs, Clarke (Fleming 36), Sousa, Lucy, Mekki (Devine 76), Dawson, Collins, Ilesanmi (Croughan 64)

Subs not used: Wharton, Akpan