Tranmere Rovers........1

Shrewsbury Town......4

Shrewsbury condemned Tranmere to a 4-1 defeat in their final pre-season run-out at Prenton Park ahead of next weekend’s curtain-raiser.

Two goals either side of half time from Tyrone Barnett, Liam McIlinden, James Collins and former Rover Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro did for Rovers with an impressive trialist grabbing a consolation.

The result was a touch harsh on the hosts who had held their own throughout the contest against superior opposition.

The Shrews made the breakthrough in the 19th minute when Barnett headed home from close range following a cross from McIlinden, who then scored himself five minutes later, drilling the ball past Scott Davies.

Tranmere’s Cole Stockton was brilliantly denied by Jayson Leutwiler on 37 minutes when he tipped the striker’s header round the post, following a cross from Liam Ridehalgh.

Less than three minutes after the restart Rovers pulled one back in bizarre fashion when a trialist looped the ball over Leutwiler from fully 40 yards. Muted celebrations suggested it wasn’t intentional.

On the hour the same trialist was at it again, this time executing a cute drag back before curling a 20-yard effort just wide of the post.

Rovers then introduced Lois Maynard as the home side went in search of an equaliser, with the mystery triliast providing the catalyst.

Shrewsbury restored their advantage 17 minutes from time however, when Davies saved from Martin Woods but substitute Collins slotted home the rebound.

The League One side notched a fourth minutes later when Akpa Akpro headed home a Barnett cross.