Walsall moved 13 points clear at the top of Sky Bet League Two, beating struggling Tranmere 5-1 to set a new club record of eight league wins in a row.
A double from Jamille Matt, as well as goals from Ryan Stirk, Jamie Jellis and league top scorer Nathan Lowe secured Walsall victory, with Connor Jennings responsible for 10-man Rovers.
The leaders were lively from the start, with Rovers goalkeeper Luke McGee making a smart save from Jellis’ volley before Matt headed in Taylor Allen’s cross to give Walsall the lead in the 15th minute.
In the 22nd minute, Stirk fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
Sam Finley was booked in the 38th minute for two quick bookings, the other for intentional handball, moments before the break Rovers and Jennings launched an attack from 20 yards a minute before the break.
However, Matt scored from close range in the 49th minute, and Jellis made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute with a shot just wide of the post that passed McGee.
On-loan Stoke striker Lowe scored 15 points and converted Albert Adomah’s cross eight minutes later as Rovers suffered their sixth straight league defeat, four points clear of the relegation zone.
