TRANMERE ROVERS............2

SWANSEA CITY......................6

(Att: 10,007)

TRANMERE were hit for six in the FA Cup at the hands of Premier League side Swansea City at a packed Prenton Park.

A gate of 10,000 saw Nathan Dyer opened the scoring for the Swans in the first half, before seven further strikes after the break with Tom Carroll, Mo Barrow, Wayne Routledge and a double from Bafetimbi Gomis scoring for the visitors with Max Power and Cole Stockton finding the net for Rovers.

Tranmere manager Micky Adams made two changes to the side which beat Northampton Town last Sunday. Michael Ihiekwe returned from an injury lay-off to take the place of Chris Shuker while Cole Stockton replaced the injured Kayode Odejayi.

Swansea City made nine changes from their team which drew 1-1 at Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Day with only Nathan Dyer and Bafetimbi Gomis retaining their places.

It took the Premier League side 34 minutes to break the deadlock.

Carroll set up Dyer's chance and after keeper Owain Fon Williams blocked the first attempt, Dyer made no mistake with the second attempt.

The visitors went in at the interval with a one-goal lead, but four minutes into the second half, their advantage was doubled by Carroll, on loan for the season from Tottenham Hotspur.

Mo Barrow tapped in the third from close range after Gomis sent the ball across the face of the goal.

Cole Stockton tried his luck on 70 minutes as he fired from 20 yards, which keeper Gerhard Tremmel saved.

But as he put the ball down to clear, he was closed down by Max Power with the midfielder blocking the ball and it flew back over the keeper and into the net.

Marvin Emnes gave Gomis the chance to cut back and crack in Swansea's fourth.

Stockton headed in to reward Rovers' hard work only for Swansea to produce a rapid response. with Routledge scoring after coming on as a substitute.

In the final minute of additional time, Swansea finished the scoring as Gomis grabbed his second of the afternoon.

The striker picked the ball up inside the Tranmere half and ran towards goal, twisting and turning past Holness, before coolly slotting the ball past Fon Williams to end Rovers' FA Cup run.

Adams said: "It was a sterling effort. We knew they were a good side with good players and we were just hoping they wouldn't show up today in terms of their attitude.

"But Swansea showed a great attitude and at times really passed the ball around well.

"We showed a lot of effort and committment as we always do, but I think the quality in front of goal from Swansea shone.

"Give us credit, I thought we did well at times.

"I think the first goal is key, my players say it was handball I think if we'd have come in at 0-0 at half time we'd have had a chance but we're chasing the game.

"At 3-1 we had a chance to get back to 3-2, and that would have made it interesting as well.

"They've got good players and in that final third you've got to defend properly. We didn't do that, but that's where they are and where we are.

"The potential is there with 10,000 fans.

"We want to see more of them return and to do that we need a winning and successful side, that's what we're hoping to produce here.

"I don't want to disappoint Tranmere fans, but we were never going to win the cup.

"It's onwards and upwards now and we've got a very important game at Morecambe next Saturday."