DAGENHAM...................0

TRANMERE ROVERS......1

(Att: 1,840)

A STUNNING strike by Max Power earned Tranmere a hard-fought victory over Dagenham at Victoria Road.

The midfielder's eighth goal of the season came midway through the half in a game which saw Rovers create the majority of chances.

The win lifted Tranmere out of the League Two relegation zone, and manager Micky Adams described it as "a magnificent effort."

Adams made two changes to the team that started against Walsall in midweek, as Shamir Fenelon and Marc Laird came in for Cole Stockton and James Rowe. Youth team goalkeeper Luke Pilling was again named on the substitutes' bench with both Peter Brezovan and Sam Ramsbottom out injured.

The home side's Jamie Cureton had the best chance of the first half, but scuffed his shot wide following excellent work by Damian Batt.

Tranmere took the lead midway through the second period when Power rifled a powerful shot into the top corner.

The Daggers pushed for an equaliser late-on, but Rovers held firm for a well-deserved three points.

Adams said: "The three points is important, particularly when you're playing a team that's down where we are. To get the three points was a magnificent effort from the boys.

"The first half was lacking any real quality from both teams though I was pleased with the performance.

"We needed a bit of quality in the final third and if we could get that I thought we'd go on and win the game. So it proved.

"One decent move put Max Power in and he hit a screamer. He's capable of that, he's a teriffic pro and he's a top player at this level.

"He should have that confidence because he's got all the attributes to help him achieve what he wants to in the game because he's that good in my opinion. I shouldn't be shouting it from the rooftops because I'm sure there's people watching him, but he's our player and I'm delighted he is because he's a special talent.

"I'm pleased with the clean sheet. You always have to be on your toes when you're playing against Jamie Cureton and Patrick Agyemang, they're a real handful.

"But defensively we were solid and the keeper's not had any saves to make.

"Being out of the bottom two is a real bonus for us. It's never easy when you're at the bottom of the table, it drains people of confidence a- nd it costs people jobs."

The result left Rovers in 22nd place in the league on 18 points.

They're next in action in the FA Cup replay against Oxford Utd, on Tuesday, at Prenton Park. Kick off will be at 7.45pm.