HE may have taken his goalkeeping coaching expertise to Liverpool this summer but John Achterberg is still making his presence felt at Prenton Park.

He left behind a parting gift that could quickly prove to be significant and valuable to Tranmere – Joe Collister, a teenage trainee goalkeeper who developed through the youth and reserve team ranks under Achterberg’s watchful guidance, and was thrust into the first-team environment on Saturday.

The 17-year-old from Hoylake thrived in the pre-season friendly against Preston North End, despite his appearance only being down to the fact that manager John Barnes has not, as yet, recruited a senior goalkeeper to his squad.

At the end of an entertaining afternoon’s football at Prenton Park, Collister earned a rousing ovation from the home supporters for a near faultless display and Barnes was talking confidently about the youngster’s potential to cope at League One level.

Rovers hope to recruit a first team goalkeeper this week but on this evidence they may not require a second signing for back-up and the bench. Young Collister looks like he may be up to it.

Collister rounded off his display by beating out an 88th minute penalty from Preston’s former Liverpool player, Neil Mellor.

It wasn’t his best save.

A full-length stretch to keep Neal Trottman’s header out of the bottom corner just before the interval was better.

There were several more smart stops during the first half and Collister went about his business throughout the afternoon with an assurance that belied his tender years and lack of experience.

Tranmere played enough good football going forward to ensure that around 1700 home fans had more to applaud than Collister’s heroics.

Sticking closely to the pass and move methods Barnes wants them to employ this season, Rovers wove some attractive patterns and penetrated the Preston defence on several occasions in the first-half.

Tranmere was strongest in the midfield area where the majority of Barnes’s summer signings – John Welsh, Paul McLaren and Alan Mahon – were on view.

The home side were less convincing at the back where reinforcements are most needed. The versatile Gareth Edds was pressed into service as a centre-back alongside 18-year-old Ash Taylor and the pair had their hands full with the powerful Preston front combination of Jon Parkin and Chris Brown.