Tranmere boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win over 10-man Exeter.

Exeter go down 3-1 at Prenton Park

Tranmere boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win over 10-man Exeter. The Grecians played more than half the game with man short and are now just two points above the drop zone after their first defeat in 10 outings. The game's turning point came in the 36th minute when 20-year-old midfielder James Dunne was dismissed for a second bookable offence after fouling Joss Labadie. His first yellow card had come just three minutes earlier while tangling with the same player. Tranmere created the better chances in the opening half but failed to put significant pressure on visiting keeper Paul Jones until Craig Curran headed home Zoumana Bakayogo's 43rd-minute cross. Exeter rarely threatened and Tranmere maintained the ascendancy after half-time before doubling their lead in the 58th minute. Labadie collected a poor clearance by Jones and planted the ball home from 30 yards. The West Country outfit were given hope when substitute Stuart Fleetwood converted Scott Golbourne cross in the 84th minute but Tranmere made the game safe four minutes later with Gareth Edds slotting into the corner following a swift counter attack.