Jayden Clarke came off the bench to score a second-half brace as 10-man Gillingham took all three points at Priestfield to end Tranmere’s unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 3-0 win.
All of the goals came in the second half after a slow opening period.
Mark Bonner’s men started the game in the ascendancy but were resisted by a stubborn Tranmere rearguard in the opening stages.
Connor Jennings had the visitors’ best opportunity but his powerful strike was brilliantly blocked by defender Shad Ogie.
Armani Little broke the deadlock as he connected with a low cross from Remeao Hutton in the 48th minute.
The hosts were forced to play the last half-an-hour with 10 men after Ethan Coleman was dismissed for two bookable offences.
Nigel Adkins’ men threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and Omari Patrick and Saidou Khan saw efforts brilliantly saved by veteran Glenn Morris.
But Clarke wrapped up the points with an excellent 83rd-minute finish and added gloss as he combined with Marcus Wyllie once more with a minute to go.
