Howe, who joined on a season long loan from Peterborough in midweek, scored one and came close on several other occasions in a slick debut after coming on for the injured Diarmuid O'Carroll.

When he came off the bench for O'Carroll, who went over on an ankle, the Shrimps trailed 2-0 with goals from Craig Curran and Charlie Barnett who scored on 7 and 21 minutes after good work down the right hand side.

Terry Gornell should have added another but volleyed over from close range after an excellent Andy Taylor cross.

After struggling to cope with Tranmere's system the Shrimps regrouped and began to find their way.

On the stroke of half-time, Matty Blinkhorn volleyed Simon Wiles's cross just wide and Neil Wainwright missed the target after being found in space.

Both sides made a string of changes in the second half with Wayne Curtis coming close for the Shrimps with a header and Barry Roche making a fine save to block form Steve Jennings four minutes from time.

But Howe was always the danger man with an effort well saved by Achterberg low to his right and another which flew inches past the post as the Shrimps staged a late rally.

The game ended with an injury-time red card for Tranmere midfielder Paul Henry for a late challenge on Shrimps' defender David Artell.

Morecambe: Roche, Parrish (rep McCann 68), Adams (rep Yates 45), Carr (rep Drummond 45), Bentley (rep McStay 68), Artell, Wiles (rep Hunter 45), McLachlan (rep Stanley 45), O'Carroll (rep Howe 29), Blinkhorn (rep Twiss 68), Wainwright (rep Curtis 45). Subs not used: Smith, Davies.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Antwi, Taylor, Chorley (rep Goodison 71), Kay, Savage (rep Greenacre 45), O;Callaghan (rep Henry 68), Jennings, Gornell (rep Sonko 45), Barnett, Curran (rep Moore 45). Subs not used: Holmes, Waterfall, Cresswell.

Ref: L Mason.

Att: 695.