Three first-half goals helped struggling Tranmere pick up a shock 3-1 victory over league leaders Norwich.
Two spot-kicks help Rovers raid early to leave Norwich reeling
Three first-half goals helped struggling Tranmere pick up a shock 3-1 victory over league leaders Norwich in an entertaining match at Prenton Park that was shrouded in controversy.
Tranmere went into an early lead when Darel Russell was adjudged to have handled by referee Eddie Idderton, allowing Ian Thomas-Moore the chance to slot home his 100th career goal from 12-yards after six minutes.
Norwich were stunned soon after when they were reduced to 10 men and a further goal down, Thomas-Moore again the beneficiary from the spot as he went down under a challenge from Canaries' goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Forster was given his marching orders and despite substitute Declan Rudd guessing the right way, Thomas-Moore squeezed the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Blatant handball
Paul Lambert's team looked to find a way back into the match and they coped admirably despite being a man down, with top scorer Grant Holt the scourge of the Rovers backline.
He should have pulled a goal back for the visitors when he rounded goalkeeper Luke Daniels, however, he scuffed his shot and defender Ian Goodison read the danger to make a vital clearance off the line.
Russell then went close to making amends for his early handball by testing Daniels with a teasing free-kick, the goalkeeper getting the faintest of finger tips on the ball to turn it onto the crossbar.
But Idderton was to find himself at the centre of attention once again 31 minutes in, the official failing to spot Craig Curran's blatant handball in the build-up to Tranmere's third.
Mountain to climb
Curran brought the ball down inside the area with his arm, before turning and smashing into the net as the Norwich players stopped, expecting a whistle from Idderton.
The goal stood and Norwich were left with a mountain to climb, although it was Rovers turn to feel aggrieved as they felt a long ball that led to Holt's 29th goal of the season had gone out of play before the striker smashed it into the net.
It mattered little, though, as Les Parry's team began to take control and Norwich's miserable night was made worse when Lambert was sent to the stands for encroaching onto the pitch.
Thomas-Moore nearly completed his hat-trick with a superb effort on the outside of his right foot, however, he was denied by the woodwork as Rovers picked up a vital win that lifted them out of the relegation zone and to the relative safety of 18th, two points clear of danger.
