A Carl Baker penalty gave Stockport a 1-0 victory over 10-man Tranmere on Monday night.
Life after Barnes begins with defeat
Carl Baker scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as Stockport claimed a 1-0 victory at 10-man Tranmere.
Baker calmly converted from 12 yards in the 67th minute after home goalkeeper Luke Daniels had been dismissed for bringing down James Vincent.
There was little in the way of quality in a fast-paced encounter at Prenton Park, which was the first game for Tranmere since the sacking of John Barnes.
The managerless hosts made a lot of the early running but Stockport keeper Owain fon Williams made good saves to deny Gareth Edds and Terry Gornell.
Baker and Greg Tansey then fired wide for County while James Vincent brought a diving stop from Daniels before the break.
The visitors looked the more assured side as the match wore on and Baker was only inches from breaking the deadlock on the hour.
And soon after County did take the lead, Baker beating replacement keeper Joe Collister with his spot-kick after Daniels had seen red.
Craig Curran and Ian Thomas-Moore went close for Tranmere late on but Stockport held on for a valuable win that lifts them to 13th in the League One table.
