HEAD of youth Kenny Shiels was encouraged by a bright performance from a young Tranmere line-up as an older and stronger Shrewsbury Town side took the Puma Youth Alliance points at Raby Vale.
Shiels rested most of the players who secured an FA Youth Cup second-round success against Cambridge United a few days earlier in favour of giving experience to first-year scholars and school of excellence youngsters.
Tranmere’s goals were scored by Jack Mackreth and Dale Jennings.
Shiels said: “We are taking a developmental approach and results take second place to the boys learning about the game and gaining experience.
“The aim is to develop players who can challenge for a place in our first-team rather than beating the opposition in Youth Alliance games.
“The boys lost by a few goals in the end but there was a lot about their performances that was pleasing.”
Tranmere have a home date with Ipswich Town in the FA Youth Cup third round next Wednesday (December 2).
Kick-off at Prenton Park is 7pm. Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions.
