Dawes steps up to the plate amid Tranmere manager search

A superb individual run and finish from Corey Blackett-Taylor gave Rovers a 13th minute lead but they were pegged ten minutes later, when Scott Davies couldn’t keep out a header from Colby Bishop, following a cross from Michael Nottingham.

Both sides hit the woodwork in what was a largely free-flowing spectacle that deserved to have a good crowd in attendance.

The tie looked to be heading for extra-time but, with Tranmere unquestionably in the ascendancy, they sealed the win with six minutes to go when Peter Clarke directed a Liam Feeney corner past ‘keeper Nathan Baxter, sending Rovers through the next round and embarrassing their opponents.

Corey Blackett-Taylor has given Rovers an injection of pace on his return. Photo: Tony Coombes

The result delighted interim-boss Dawes, who has been handling first team affairs alongside academy manager Andy Parkinson since Mike Jackson was sacked 10 days ago.

It could hardly have gone any better for the former Blackpool coach so far, winning both the games he has overseen with a clear uplift in performance.

He said: “Overall I think we deserved the win. The way we applied ourselves on the pitch, both with and without the ball, I thought we were outstanding today.

“Anyone who watched the game will at first, been entertained by it and also will have understood that we deserved the win today.

“I thought the first half was very good and entertaining. I thought we probably could have punished them a little bit more on the counter-attack.

“As regards to Corey, we know what he’s capable of doing. I thought he was great today. He’s looking sharper every game and he took his goal brilliantly. I’m made up for him.

“It was important to show everybody both inside and outside the club that Tuesday wasn’t just a one off. It’s a platform to build from. There was more signs of improvement today and we’ve got to continue that work.”

Tranmere's road to Wembley started with a 2-1 win against League One side Accrington Stanley

Tranmere’s search for a new manager is continuing, with short odds offered on the likes of Nigel Adkins, Danny Cowley, Paul Cook and Sol Campbell.

It initially seemed more likely that Dawes would follow Jackson out of Prenton Park but two wins out of two using the same players at Jackson’s disposal, plus the returning Blackett-Taylor, may now suggest otherwise.

Dawes said: “I think the effort has always been there but the performances have just started to turn over the last couple of games. Everyone can see that we’re creating chances, we’re looking exciting on the break and we’re looking like we’ve got goals in us and we’re always solid defensively as well.

“It’s been a joy to watch them and I’m made up for them because they have put the work in they’ve deserved it.”

Dawes looked less comfortable when the Globe pushed him on whether he wanted the job permanently but he stopped short of ruling himself out completely.

He said: “I speak to Mark Palios every couple of days and he gives me an update. I just take it day by day really.

Matches continue to played at Prenton Park behind closed doors

“All I can do is plan towards the next game.

“If something happens in the meantime then that’s fine but as far as I’m concerned there’s a game Wednesday and I’ll prepare for that in the best way possible.

“I can’t be selfish and think about me and what can I get out of this.

“I’ve just got to keep going as it is, work with the players, keeping the positivity there and the performance on the pitch, helping them in anyway that I can and winning games. That’s all that I’m going to do.”