TRANMERE picked up three points and moved out of the relegation zone as they beat Accrington Stanley 3-0 at Prenton Park.

Rory Donnelly and Shamir Fenelon gave Rovers a 2-0 lead at the break, before Donnelly notched his second of the game to make the match safe in the second period.

Rovers manager Micky Adams made four changes to the side which drew 0-0 at Morecambe last time out.

New signings Rob Taylor and Lee Molyneux both came in for their Tranmere debuts while Kayode Odejayi and Rory Donnelly both started. Max Power missed out through illness.

"It was excellent,” said manager Micky Adams.

“I was pleased with the football we played, good shape, created chances and worked ever so hard.

“I think the first 30 minutes was as hard as I've seen a side work at closing the ball down.

“We gave Accrington very little time on the ball and I thought that was key to the game. I'm delighted we got the three points and put on a decent performance.

"I think all three (Rory Donnelly, Lee Molyneux and Rob Taylor) are to be congratulated. It has been really difficult this January window trying to sell the dream to footballers.

“You have to say well done to those three, who've not focussed too much on us being second bottom, they've focussed on what we can do going forward. They've jumped on board and three fantastic debuts.

"We did a lot of work, particularly on Thursday, on how we would utilise the three forwards. I thought Kayode Odejayi was awesome today and that gave us a platform to build from. We got more bodies into the box and got our rewards. 

"We're slightly fortunate to keep a clean sheet but we'll take it and move on."

He continued: "We're not out of the woods but we're looking in the right direction. We've got a really important game next week against Hartlepool.

"We've set the benchmark. If we set below the standards we set today we become average again. You get your rewards if you work hard and we got that today.

Meanwhile, Adams revealed that Max Power missed the game due to illness and a broken nose forced Marc Laird to be substituted early in the game.

He added: "Max was feeling ill yesterday in training and wasn't fit today. All the conspiracy theories will be shot to pieces, he was ill. But I'm delighted with the lads who came into the game.

"Marc broke his nose, we couldn't stop the bleeding which is why he was substituted.

"It suited Jason, we were effectively playing three in midfield against their two. Jason showed his quality, but what I was more pleased with was his willingness to put a shift in as well.

“All the things he's not really associated with like closing the ball down, he showed he has that ability as well."