Tranmere were punished for not putting away their chances as Oli Johnson`s second-half lob gave Yeovil all three points.
Both Lateef Elford-Alliyu and Lucas Akins had numerous attempts on goal in both half`s, but nothing came of their efforts as the Whites continued their bad run of form.
Les Parry was forced into making two changes to the side that were defeated at Brentford in midweek, with Zoumana Bakayogo coming in for the injured Aaron Cresswell at left-back and Robbie Weir deputising for Joss Labadie- serving a one-match suspension- in midfield.
Sam Morrow and Max Blanchard returned from slight knocks to make the bench, but most of the new faces around Prenton Park appeared in the stands as Tranmere`s ‘football for a fiver` promotion saw a crowd of over 8000 gather to see the afternoon`s action.
Urged forward by the extra numbers, Rovers` first set of attacks mainly fell to Akins, who won a corner just five minutes in before being put through on goal by Enoch Showunmi minutes later, with Paul Huntington racing back to clear.
A couple more long-range shots from Akins entertained the crowd up to the halfway point of the first period with the home side dominating the proceedings without an end product. Rovers` best chance at opening the scoring came after Ash Taylor crossed for Elford-Alliyu who hit a volley into the side netting on 23 minutes.
The next period failed to stimulate the thousands in attendance as both sides failed to build on possession and chances to attack. Sam Williams struck a shot wide of the target for the visitors on 32 minutes, and Tony Warner made his first save of the afternoon with a catch from Johnson`s cross. But the short flurry of action in front of the Cowshed proved to be the half`s last as both sides went into the tunnel with the scores level.
Yeovil came out looking like a completely different side in the second-half by troubling Warner`s goal twice through ambitious efforts from Johnson and Andrew Tutte which just missed their targets.
Bakayogo`s cross was blocked into the path of Elford-Alliyu on 60 minutes, who found space to fire in a low shot that forced a top draw save out of Glovers` keeper Stephen Henderson in the best move of the game.
Taking initiative from a good attacking spell, Robbie Weir fired over from a free-kick in a decent position, only for the midfielder`s first start for the club to be ended prematurely on 67 minutes- with Andy Robinson taking to the field.
Rovers went close again on 74 minutes when Showunmi ran through the Town defence to win a header that kindly fell on his left foot. But even with the target gaping, the striker couldn`t direct his attempt goalwards, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Adam McGurk entered the field on 76 minutes in place of Lucas Akins as Tranmere looked to convert some of the chances that had come their way, but it was the potency at the other end which was to show when Warner raced out of his goal to head towards Michael Kay. The right-back failed to get the ball under control, and the ever-dangerous Johnson lobbed John Welsh for the lead straight after the substitution.
McGurk almost saved his sides blushes on 85 minutes with a well struck shot from outside the box which was spilled by Henderson, who quickly reacted to jump on the loose ball.
Ian Goodison pushed forward to play the ball to Elford-Alliyu who hit the side netting once again, and a Showunmi cross just fell behind Robinson in the penalty to deny the winger of a golden chance. But despite the last gasp attempts, the Whites couldn`t reply, and succumbed to their third loss in seven days.
Tranmere: Warner, Kay, Goodison, McChrystal, Bakayogo, Weir (Robinson 70), Taylor, Welsh, Akins (McGurk 76), Showunmi, Elford-Alliyu. Substitutes not used: Collister, Cathalina, Wood, Blanchard, Morrow.
Yeovil: Henderson, Huntington, Smith, Andrew Williams (Bowditch 67), Ayling, Sam Williams, Johnson, Ehmer, Upson, Tutte (Alcock 86), Wotton. Substitutes not used: Martin, Russell, Calver, German, Fitzsimon.
Referee: Mark Brown
Yellow cards: Ayling (18)
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