Bottom club Cheltenham secured a second successive home win by beating Tranmere courtesy of an early David Bird goal.

Bird slammed home the winner in only the third minute with a 20-yard left-foot volley.

The hosts were dominant throughout and could have extended their lead through Nicolas Bignall but the striker's shot was blocked.

Tranmere threatened but Craig Curran had a header deflected wide and Anthony Kay headed over from eight yards.

Cheltenham Town manager Martin Allen told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"It was an outstanding goal that won us the game from our captain David Bird.

"I felt we needed to get Damian Spencer on to win some aerial battles against their centre-halfves, which he did absolutely superbly for the team.

"It was a real good squad effort to stick tight, keep a clean sheet. I'm delighted for the players and supporters."

Cheltenham: Brown, Lindegaard, Diallo, Townsend, Ridley, Low, Bird, Gallinagh, Westlake, Hammond (Spencer 57), Bignall.
Subs Not Used: Puddy, Lee, Watkins, Durrant.

Goals: Bird 3.

Tranmere: Coyne, Shotton, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor, Sonko, Kay, Jennings (Edds 80), Barnett (Curran 68), Savage, Moore.
Subs Not Used: Achterberg, Waterfall, Cresswell.

Att: 2,845

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).

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