TRANMERE have a little way to go before they can be regarded as the “horrible” opponents manager Les Parry wants them to become.

But they managed to do abrasive and tenacious on Saturday and those qualities were enough to secure a first win of the League One campaign at the expense of Peterborough.

A talented and expensively maintained Posh team left Prenton Park with few complaints about a result that spoiled many a betting coupon.

Rovers’ young lineup, responding to Parry’s call to build an “all for one and one for all” spirit in the dressing room and on the pitch, spared no effort in hounding the opposition out of their natural game. They also showed enough enterprise to worry the visitors on the break and capitalise on the game’s best chance, put away by on-loan midfielder Arnaud Mendy a minute before half-time.

The cheers and roars that rang around the ground during the final hour of the afternoon signalled the supporters’ approval of a big-hearted effort. If this was a taste of what a “horrible” Tranmere team might look like, then most fans will be happy to see more of the same.

The approach is an echo from the days when John Aldridge was the manager at Prenton Park and Parry the physiotherapist who watched the psychology at work in a succession of famous giantkilling acts in cup competitions.

Aldridge’s team of a decade ago turned over many a Premier League side with far greater wealth and resources. The modern-day challenge for Parry and his players is to turn over many League One clubs with greater wealth and resources invested in their teams.

Peterborough, boasting a front three who may well earn as much as the entire Tranmere squad, are a case in point.

They had plundered 17 goals in six league and cup games until Rovers stopped them scoring for the first time this season. The defence that shut them out featured four youngsters aged 20 or under plus a 37-year-old centre back, Ian Goodison, who shows no sign of allowing the passing seasons to take the edge off his commanding game.