Walsall moved 13 points clear at the top of Sky Bet League Two by beating struggling Tranmere 5-1 to set a new club record of eight straight league wins.
Jamilla Matt’s double, plus goals from Ryan Stirk, Jamie Jellis and the division’s top scorer Nathan Lowe, gave Walsall victory with Connor Jennings replying for Rovers’ 10.
The hosts were lively from the start and Rovers goalkeeper Luke McGee made a smart save from Jellis’ volley before Matt headed home Taylor Allen’s cross to put Walsall ahead on 15 minutes.
In the 22nd minute, Stirk hit the bottom corner well from the edge of the penalty area.
Sam Finley’s 38th-minute sending-off for two quick bookings, the second for deliberate handball, gave Rovers a brief boost and Jennings slotted home from 20 yards a minute before the break.
But Matt struck from close range in the 49th minute and Jellis made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute with a shot past McGee.
On-loan Stoke striker Lowe took his tally to 15 by turning in Albert Adomah’s cross eight minutes later as Rovers, four points clear of the drop zone, suffered a sixth successive league defeat away from home.
