TRANMERE boss Micky Mellon cut a frustrated figure after Rovers completed a stunning home campaign with a 16th win of the season at Prenton Park over Oldham Athletic.

Josh Hawkes and Kane Hemmings scored as Tranmere heaped more misery on already-relegated Oldham with a comfortable 2-0 win.

Hawkes struck in the 27th minute and Hemmings sealed victory in the second half as the hosts, who sit two points off a play-off place with one game to go, strolled to victory against a lacklustre Latics side.

While Mellon was pleased with the 2-0 victory, the Scotsman was left lamenting an away record that has seen Rovers pick up just four wins on the road and will ultimately be the reason why they sit two points outside the play off places going into the last game of the season. 

“You have to say it’s frustrating that we couldn’t do better away from home and pick up more points and better results," said Mellon.

"We’ve been over that before and we know why – hopefully the players have learnt from that for the future.

"We know if we’d done a little bit better on the road a play off place would’ve been cemented now so that’s the frustrating thing – now all we can do it take care of our business."

Earlier Hawkes had skewed horribly wide with an early chance when left unmarked at the back post.

But when a brisk passing move saw Tranmere work the ball to him at the edge of the box, he drilled his finish past Jayson Leutwiler's right hand and inside the foot of the post.

Oldham, already preparing for non-league football next term, offered precious little in the first half, with a set-piece header from Will Sutton that cleared the bar their only contribution of note.

Tranmere's half-time lead should have been more than a single goal but Hemmings was denied by Leutwiler after a neat through ball from Elliott Nevitt.

Hemmings made no mistake when he was given a second chance just after the hour mark, however, deservedly doubling Rovers' lead when Lewis Warrington picked him out in space.

And Oldham were denied a late consolation by Tranmere keeper Joe Murphy, who got down well to turn Jack Stobbs' effort behind.

"I’m pleased we got a win and a reaction to the disappointment of the weekend," said Mellon.  

"The players showed more of the qualities you expect but then they’ve been like that at home all season.

“It’s an important result for us that takes it to the last day. We’ve kept battling and all credit to the players – I thought they kept calm in a very nervy atmosphere and got the victory.

“It was a good victory and maybe we should have scored a few more goals but we’ll see where it takes us now.

Rovers must now travel to London for a final day clash with mid-table Leyton Orient knowing they must win and other results go their way.

“We were aware of the other scores because I thought the players needed something to go for so they had to know," added Mellon.

"We spoke at half time about how the results were going our way – I wanted them to be excited and to fight for the challenge and keep the tempo up, score goals and make sure we seal the deal and they have gone and done that.

“It was important to get a result and take it into the last day and give ourselves a fighting chance of getting in the play offs."