Tranmere Rovers boss Nigel Adkins was delighted with his side’s performance after the Wirral outfit defeated League Two leaders Mansfield Town 2-1.

Adkins’ side took the lead after just 12 minutes through Regan Hendry, who fired the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, after latching onto Kieron Morris’ clever flick.

But the visiting league leaders found their equaliser when Will Swan found the back of the net just six minutes before half-time.

Rob Apter, who has impressed on loan from Blackpool this season, scored the winner with a solo effort to secure a 2-1 win at Prenton Park for Tranmere.

Adkins was pleased by his side’s performance against tough opposition and told the club website: “I thought the performance was exceptional, a joy for the supporters to watch.

“The work rate, the commitment are two things, and then the quality, some of the football was a joy to watch, the way they passed and moved against top of the table.

“You know, we’ve come here and I thought we did great, and at the very end, the supporters were with the players as well.

“Great credit to the players, we started the game ever so well, yet again.

“Regan Hendry, what a goal, I thought he was magnificent first half.

“Cannot eulogise enough about Connor Jennings, wow!

“And the industrious work of Harvey Saunders, and his pace to get us up there, and obviously Robbie Apter scores the winning goal.”

Tranmere struggled in the early months of the current campaign, and looked destined for a relegation battle.

But since the permanent appointment of Adkins, who is originally from Birkenhead, they have climbed up the League Two table to a comfortable 16th position.

Last night’s (March 12) victory over Mansfield is the latest scalp of a team chasing promotion. On February 17, they beat then league leaders Stockport County 4-0.

Rovers face an away trip on Saturday to second-placed Wrexham.

(featured image Nigel Adkins free to use Alamy Images)