Harrogate boost League Two survival hopes after emphatic win at Tranmere

Harrogate boosted their Sky Bet League Two survival hopes with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tranmere in what proved a miserable first home game in charge for Pete Wild.

A Chanse Headman brace and a Reece Smith strike lifted Simon Weaver’s side off the foot of the table, leaving Rovers without a win in seven and hovering dangerously close to the drop zone.

The visitors took the lead after nine minutes when Smith ran through the heart of the home defence before slotting past Marko Marosi from the edge of the area.

The lead was doubled two minutes later as Town broke quickly from a corner, Jack Evans racing the length of the pitch before teeing up Headman to finish.

The result was all but sealed seven minutes before the break when Headman, left unmarked, prodded home from six yards after good work down the right from Tom Hill.

The hosts offered little after the break, with Omari Patrick twice firing straight at Henry Gray while the visitors continued to threaten.

The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos by the home crowd as Harrogate claimed what could be a vital three points.