Tranmere Rovers have been relegated from League One after losing 2-1 to Bradford City at Prenton Park this afternoon.
Rovers went into the clash relying on rivals Crewe Alexandra slipping up to Preston North End, but a 2-1 win for the Alex rendered anything Tranmere achieved academic and consigned them to League Two next term.
John McMahon's men enjoyed the perfect start, however, as Matthew Pennington fired the hosts into a 1-0 lead after just seven minutes.
However, the optimism on the terraces soon subsided upon discovering that Crewe had taken the lead against the Lilywhites, before McMahon's side were handed a numerical disadvantage after Junior Brown was dismissed for a challenge on Nathan Doyle.
It became evident that the hosts faced a battle to preserve their lead as Jon Stead came close for the Bantams either side of the half-time break.
It was a case of third-time lucky for the former Sheffield United hitman, though, as Stead forced an 81st-minute equaliser before Aaron McLean snatched the winner four minutes later to dash Tranmere's hopes of preserving their status in England's third tier.
Shane Callaghan
