TRANMERE's poor start to the new League Two season continued with a 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town as Riley Harbottle's second-half header proved to be the difference in a game of few clear-cut chances.
Rovers came close to opening the scoring after 30 minutes through Kane Hemmings, before John-Joe O'Toole had a shot cleared off the line.
Paul Lewis missed a great chance to equalise when he scuffed a shot straight at the keeper in the closing stages.
Tranmere had early penalty shouts waved away when Elliott Nevitt went down under pressure.
Hiram Boateng had a shot saved after 11 minutes before Reece McAlear drilled over.
Christy Pym saved from Hemmings following a poor back-pass with 30 minutes gone.
O'Toole had an attempt cleared off the line by Hemmings five minutes before the break.
Mansfield broke the deadlock when Harbottle headed home following Boateng's 60th-minute corner.
Pym made a good fingertip save to keep out Ethan Bristow's header.
Lewis found space but could only fire tamely at Pym with five minutes to go.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here