TRANMERE Rovers won 4-0 at home to Blackpool as the Seasiders suffered their first league defeat in six outings.

Rovers were ahead after only two minutes and had the game virtually sewn up by half time when they were three goals to the good.

Blackpool had no answer to Tranmere's incessant pressure, although they did show some improvement after half time, but they became thoroughly dispirited when Rovers grabbed their fourth goal midway through the half.

Steve Yates led by example for Tranmere and there was also a fine midfield showing by two-goal Sean Flynn.

Yates headed Tranmere in front in the second minute, running in unmarked to connect with a Mickey Mellon corner at the far post.

Blackpool were unlucky when Brett Ormerod saw an overhead effort blocked by keeper Joe Murphy and they were two goals down in the 21st minute.

Flynn sidefooted home a right-foot shot from 12 yards after a cross from the right by Andy Parkinson had been dummied by Stuart Barlow at the near post.

Parkinson then made it 3-0 with a superb individual effort. His curling right-foot shot from 30 yards went in off James Pullen's right-hand post.

Blackpool's fortunes were summed up when John Murphy flashed a header just wide just before the break.

Paul Simpson twice and Murphy put in good efforts for Blackpool early in the second half but it was all over for them in the 69th minute.

Tranmere gained four corners in quick succession. The ball was partially cleared from the fourth, but fell to Flynn who blasted home a left-foot shot from 20 yards.

Tranmere's Graham Allen and Ian Sharps collected bookings for fouls, while Blackpool's Phil Thompson and Murphy were also cautioned.

Afterwards a delighted Tranmere boss Dave Watson commented: "The early goal was excellent for us. All the goals were exceptional and all the players came through with flying colours.

"To move into the top six is nice. It has been a gradual climb but we are not getting carried away. We've got to keep on working hard."

Blackpool boss Steve McMahon was less than happy, commenting: "You can't afford to give sides a goal start although I did think our keeper was impeded.

"We went from bad to worse and it was all over from half time. It's a setback for us and we've got to be sharper and more ruthless.

"I've been trying hard all week to get new players in and will go on trying. I've been in contact with several Premiership clubs, but the players concerned just don't want to drop down into Division Two."