Tranmere produced a spirited comeback to thrash Carling Cup giantkillers Northampton 4-1 in the League One encounter at Prenton Park.

Ryan Gilligan capitalised on a poor backpass from defender Ian Goodison to put the visitors in front, but much-travelled striker Bas Savage levelled with a clinical finish and Antony Kay put the home side in front three minutes later in an eventful first half.

Town boss Stuart Gray was not helped by injuries to influential duo Gilligan and Chris Doig as Tranmere started to take control.

And on the stroke of half-time Craig Curran gave Ronnie Moore's side a two-goal advantage following a goalmouth scramble after Town keeper Chris Dunn had pushed a header from giant defender Kay onto the crossbar.

The second half was something of an anti-climax following an action-packed opening 45 minutes, but substitute Chris Greenacre set up Ian Moore to heap more misery on Northampton with a simple tap-in to seal the points for Rovers.