DYNAMIC Danny Schofield smashed in a spectacular late winner to keep Town hot among the promotion favourites and send the fans home highly delighted.

The tricky wingman - who tormented Tranmere all through the match - struck three minutes from time with a belting volley to reward some fantastic flowing football and tireless effort from Town.

It seemed Tranmere would sneak away with a point after John Achterberg's 28th-minute penalty save from Pawel Abbott had dented Galpharm ambitions, but Peter Jackson's side are made of sterner stuff this season and would accept nothing less than a win.

What a celebration greeted Schofield's stunner - and why not?

Every single player mobbed the scorer because they realised the importance of the result, as did the fans going delirious on three sides of the ground.

Not only did the goal enable the squad to equal an 83-year club record of having scored in 21 successive League games, but it kept them right alongside leaders Swansea and Southend at the business end of the table.

That's a great position to be in with a home game to come against Bournemouth before the derby trip down the M606 to tackle Bradford City - who are now seven points back in sixth place.

Confidence among Jackson's side is soaring too, and rightly so.

Schofield's willingness to attack with flair reflects that of the team and the passing style they so effectively developed last night left Tranmere with no more than 20% possession.

Passing and moving with great fluency, Town took control from the off and the only criticism was that they over elaborated at times and, when it came to the crunch, they struggled for a cutting edge.

It was not a match for Abbott or Andy Booth to be on the end of a string of chances because the final pass often lacked any quality, but there was still much to commend in Town's display.

The brothers Clarke were in truly defiant mood at the back, each wrestling with the pace and power that is Delroy Facey and each, eventually, coming out on top.

Ex-Town man Facey had the best two Tranmere chances with speedy breaks on 34 and 41 minutes, but his shooting didn't match the sprint work and, in fact, Paul Rachubka wasn't seriously tested all night.

Down the flanks, Town showed oodles of creativity with Danny Adams supplying Schofield down the left and Andy Holdsworth linking productively with the busy Chris Brandon on the right.

All the hard graft should have amounted to more, especially with Tony Carss and the hard-working skipper, Jon Worthington, getting the better of Jason McAteer and Mark Rankine in the centre, but Town just couldn't make the vital breakthrough.

It seemed, however, their prayers had been answered after 27 minutes when Ian Goodison was harshly adjudged to have handled near the righthand edge of the box.

The penalty was signalled by the assistant on that side and promptly awarded by referee Paul Robinson, although after lengthy protests by Tranmere players he further held up the kick by making sure everyone was outside the box.

Abbott promptly missed - maybe outfoxed by the keeper, who dummied to go left before springing to his right to keep out a firm drive.

Town, for all their dominance, needed a goal at that time and, as a strong wind blew in heavy rain at the start of the second half, it was Tranmere who served notice of their intentions with a raking free-kick from Nicky Summerbee which was well grabbed by Rachubka, diving smartly to his right.

Stung by this, Town quickly re-asserted themselves and went close with a 62nd-minute Abbott drive from long range which Achterberg could only parry.

Two minutes later Brandon appeared to be tripped as he homed in on goal and then Booth was blocked at the near post after a fantastic 80-yard pass from Worthington had released the nippy No7 down the right.

Jackson sent on goal hope Gary Taylor-Fletcher to try and force the win, but it was second substitute Mark Hudson - on the field less than three minutes - who finally provided the cross from which Schofield decided the outcome.

Three minutes of stoppage time (most of them wasted by Tranmere) added unnecessary anxiety at the end, but Town were in no mood to throw the points away.

You can bet Bournemouth's chief scout Mike Corderoy made plenty of notes in any case!

Turning point: MINUTES seemed to be running out despite a huge amount of pressure when substitute Mark Hudson made a half break down the right and crossed just inside the box.

The ball seemed to be evading everyone until Danny Schofield, pictured, nipped around one tackler and smashed a cracking drive into the top corner

Man of the Match: Danny Schofield

HIS skills stood out right from the first whistle as Town took control and he was deserving of the excellent winner he scored three minutes from time. It was his fifth of the season

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Wasn't called upon to make a serious save all night but, overall, did his work well and handled the greasy ball well Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Frustratingly sent a few crosses straight into the arms of Achterberg, but he attacked well and put in some solid tackles Rating: 7/10

Danny Adams Kept Summerbee quiet and was involved in plenty of neat build-up. A superb pass set up Schofield in first half Rating: 7/10

Tom Clarke Got in an excellent tackle to stop Aiston and made a great clearance near the end. Very accomplished Rating: 8/10

Nathan Clarke Battled well against Facey's pace and strength and directed the back line well. Very commanding display Rating: 8/10

Tony Carss Saw plenty of the ball as Town dominated and was always probing for openings. Did his share of grafting back as well Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Never gave up driving the team forward and won a splendid battle with Rankine and McAteer in the middle Rating: 7/10

Danny Schofield Easily Town's brightest spark in the first half, he took the top mark with a cracking finish to win the game near the end Rating: 9/10

Chris Brandon Worked hard and was unhappy to be taken off, running straight into the dug-out without shaking hands Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Had just one sniff of a chance from a Carss corner but couldn't get on top of the header. Tireless worker again Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott Had a first-half penalty saved by Achterberg and didn't have a lot of joy all night in terms of chances. Stuck at it Rating: 7/10

Verdict on the ref:

JOHN ROBINSON had a decent game although the penalty awarded against Ian Goodison for handball in the first half, which was signalled by an assistant, seemed extremely harsh. If a similar decision had been given against Town then no-one would have been happy. Kept control well as a result of getting about the pitch quickly

Tranmere Rovers: Achterberg; Bruce, Roberts, Jackson, Goodison; Summerbee, Rankine (Jennings 72), McAteer, Aiston; Facey, Greenacre. Subs not used: Wilson, Whitmore, Tremarco, Dagnall.