NORTHWICH Victoria bowed out of the Cheshire Senior Cup at the hands of a strong Tranmere Rovers side.

The League Two outfit arrived at U Lock It Stadium with half a dozen first-team professionals in their starting line-up, with the rest of the side also among Tranmere's paid ranks, and ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.

Vics finished the game with a makeshift rearguard, having lost one full-back, Jack Fleming, in the warm-up, Joe Camozzi after 10 minutes with a popped thigh and eventually centre half Rudy Misambo through illness.

It was therefore a valiant effort to spend 43 minutes of the first period and the last 35 minutes of the game without conceding.

Northwich Guardian:

Northwich Guardian: Action from Northwich Victoria v Tranmere Rovers. Pictures: Angela BuckleyAction from Northwich Victoria v Tranmere Rovers. Pictures: Angela Buckley

Rovers went ahead after only two minutes through Paul Glatzel and their other four strikes came in a 10-minute spell either side of the break.

Glatzel ended the game with two goals, as did Charlie Jolley, while Nathaniel Knight-Percival also got on the scoresheet.

Carl Grimshaw netted Vics' only goal in the 53rd minute.

After having gone a fortnight without a game, Steve Wilkes' side are now on a run of three matches in six days. They head to Squires Gate on Saturday.