TRANMERE continued their pre-season preparations with another double header of friendlies on Saturday.

The day saw a 2-1 defeat against Cammell Laird 1907 at the North West Construction Stadium and later, Rovers went on to beat Marine by three goals to one.

First up were Laird's, who are in the North West Counties Premier Division. The hosts took the lead at the end of the first half when John Riley headed home a free-kick.

The advantage was doubled as Paul Foy pounced on a low cross to fire into the top corner from close range.

One of Rovers' trialists pulled a goal back, twisting and turning before firing past the goalkeeper, but Lairds held on for victory.

Only Sam Ramsbottom, Jack Fleming - a scorer in last weekend's win at Heswall - and Eddie Clarke were able to be named on the team-sheet as Rovers fielded a side consisting of eight trialists with manager Gary Brabin continuing to assess his options with the start of the 2015/16 season just three weeks away.

At the Marine Travel Arena, an opening goal on the stroke of half-time by Andy Mangan was added to by a strike by a trialist and Sam Ilesanmi after the break before the Mariners pulled a goal back towards the end of the game.

Rovers dominated possession throughout the first 45 minutes with a few half chances, with Andy Mangan seeing a flick from Liam Ridehalgh's corner saved by Marine 'keeper Matthew Cooper.

Mangan did beat Cooper just before the interval as he picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area, dodged past two challenges and stuck a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The former Shrewsbury striker was replaced by Cole Stockton at half time and the substitute combined well with a trialist who slotted the ball home from 18 yards.

A host of changes were made at the 60 minute junction and one of the players who entered the field made his mark immediately.

Ilesanmi picked up the ball on the right side of the box, beat one defender before slamming an unstoppable shot across goal and into the top corner of the net to make it 3-0.

More Rovers substitutions were made with 20 minutes remaining and Marine came back into the game, scoring a consolation goal with six minutes left on the clock.

Manager Gary Brabin said: "As a day as the whole, it was good, especially the second game. The players have got another 60 minutes under their belts.

"There was some good play, I thought we grew into the game the longer it went on.

"We wanted to get 60 minutes from our players and we thought it was only fair to the lads we're having a look at to get a full 90 minutes so they could show us what they can do.

"First and foremost it is a fitness exercise. We've got to get ourselves ready for the start of the season."