Dramatic Tranmere victory over Port Vale puts Dawes in focus

Rovers were 2-0 down by half time, but after Luke Joyce was sent off for the Valiants, they fought back and pulled the tie level, thanks to a brace from James Vaughan.

From there it looked like Tranmere would go on to score a third but they were stunned when substitute Devante Rodney headed a free kick home to give Vale the lead again with quarter of an hour to play.

Dawes threw on Morgan Ferrier, Kaiyne Woolery and Sam Smith, as Rovers chased the game with four strikers on the pitch and their endeavour was rewarded in six minutes of time added on.

Tranmere's dramatic victory over Port Vale was once again played in front of an empty stadium

Woolery drew the sides level when he met a long ball into the box from Manny Monthe, before expertly arrowing it into the bottom corner of the net.

But the best was yet to come.

In the 96th and final minute of the match, Kieron Morris was given enough time and space to switch the ball onto his left foot and let fly with a brilliant 20 yard strike that handed Rovers an incredible, but deserved, victory.

Kieron Morris' last gasp winner at Port Vale was a goal to remember

Speaking after the match, interim manager Dawes said: "I know it's a 4-3 game but I was always calm on the side.

"Even at 2-0 down I thought we played really well. We were the team that was dominating possession and looked like we were going to score.

"We've come unstuck with a penalty. I've watched it back - it's not a penalty.

"We get on with it and then we get undone by a clever set play. Great play from them. Something that we weren't aware of. We've not seen them do it all season, so I'll take some responsibility for that for the set-up.

"But even at 2-0 I said to the boys at half time, we're the better team.

"You'll come through this today with a result and you'll remember it. They'll be a point in the season when they look back and say we didn't half kick on there."

Dawes, who was Assistant Manager under former Rovers boss Mike Jackson, is only supposed to be steadying the ship while a new permanent manager is identified and brought in to start at Prenton Park.

But instead, the ex-Blackpool coach has won two away league games, advanced in the FA Cup at the expense of a team in the league above and presided over a penalty shoot-out victory that has taken Rovers into the EFL trophy knock-out stages.#

Former Lincoln boss Danny Cowley has been strongly linked with the Tranmere job but there has been no hints of an appointment out of Prenton Park

That unbeaten run has been backed up by a sharp improvement in performances, with Tranmere's undeniably talented squad now playing on the front foot and looking far more relaxed in possession on the ball.

Supporters have been looking for a high calibre manager to take over the reigns, with attractive names such as Danny Cowley, Nigel Adkins and Paul Cook at the top of their wishlist.

But with no announcement from chairman Mark Palios yet and not even a hint of a favourite coming out of the Prenton Park gates, Dawes' chances of making the job his own appear to be growing with every successful result that he oversees.

But even if he does want the job, he continues to do his best to keep it a guarded secret.

When asked directly on Saturday if he wished to be considered, he said: "Like I've said before, I haven't thought too far ahead. I keep just thinking about the next game and what will be will be.

"I'm just concentrating on the next game and that's it."

Victory over Port Vale has moved Tranmere up to 15th in League Two.

Rovers are next in action on Saturday when Grimsby Town come to Prenton Park.