Tranmere Rovers 1, Leeds United 2: Leeds take foothold at start of long climb from depths

Rarely can a win that lifted a division's bottom club to within a mere 12 points of their nearest rivals have been greeted with such optimism.

Leeds will remain rooted at the foot of League One for some time as they work their way through the onerous 15-point penalty imposed for breaching Football League administration rules, but having avoided the indignity of defeat on their first venture into the third tier, such a matter appeared trifling in the wake of victory.

Had Dennis Wise's side not claimed three points, the gloom that has smothered Leeds would have taken on a darker hue. No one at Elland Road needs reminding of their plight, nor that it is a mere six years since they were competing in the Champions League, but the display of unity by players, coaching staff and fans at the end offered hope that decline may not be terminal.

Ken Bates, the Leeds chairman, intends to seek redress from the Football Association over the points penalty, but it was immediately apparent at Prenton Park that their desperate situation can best be resolved on the pitch. Having received a verbal lashing from Wise at half-time after a pitiful first half, Leeds offered a more promising display that suggested any feelings of self-pity will be quickly eradicated.

Not that they were particularly good, but it was a performance that included the grit that will stand them in good stead against sides who regard them as the division's prize scalp.

Wise acknowledged the promising signs and, having been freed from the transfer embargo that scuppered his rebuilding plans, he intends to bring in at least two new faces before the transfer deadline at the end of the month. He has already had some success with midfielder Andy Hughes, who joined the club from Norwich on Friday.

"Dennis told me about the 15 points, told me about the fans and told me about the club," Hughes said. "Everyone is focusedbecause everyone is against us. It's a motivating factor."

Motivation seemed in short supply when Chris Greenacre gave Tranmere a first-half lead but Wise's exhortations encouraged Matt Heath and Tresor Kandol to score the goals that transformed a depressing day into something approaching a triumph.

Goals: Greenacre (22) 1-0; Heath (55) 1-1, Kandol (89) 1-2.

Tranmere Rovers (4-4-2): Coyne; Stockdale, Chorley, Goodison, Sherriff; Shuker (Curran, 83), McLaren, Jennings, Davies; Zola, Greenacre (Taylor, 80), Davies. Substitutes not used: Achterberg (gk), Tremarco, Kay.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Ankergren; Richardson, Marques, Heath, Lewis; Weston (Flo, 76), Thompson, Hughes, Westlake; Beckford (Howson, 89), Kandol. Substitutes not used: Carole, Parker, Elliott.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).

Booked: Tranmere Stockdale, Chorley, Goodison; Leeds Beckford, Kandol, Thompson, Westlake.

Man of the match: Thompson.

Attendance: 11,008.

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