Tranmere Rovers 2 - 1 Northampton Town - Super sub Kirby boosts Rovers

Jake Kirby stepped off the bench to hit the winner as Tranmere climbed out of the League Two relegation places with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Northampton.

Kayode Odejayi had put the home side ahead just after half an hour with his first league goal for Tranmere, only for Marc Richards to level proceedings just before the break.

However the visitors could not hold on and slipped to a fifth-straight league loss as 20-year-old Kirby grabbed his first goal of the season just after the hour mark.

Northampton had a strong appeal for a penalty turned away when Joel Byrom appeared to have his heels clipped in the box by Danny Holmes.

There was little between the sides when Rovers took the lead, Odejayi capitalising on some slack marking to convert a low cross at the front post.

Northampton enjoyed a period of possession after that and an excellent piece of play by Byrom created the equaliser as he beat two players before teeing up Richards who fired home off the post.

The visitors had plenty of the ball after half time but it was Rovers who retook the lead, Kirby curling home the winner after a one-two with Max Power no more than a minute after coming on as a substitute.