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Cole Stockton scored a first half hat-trick before Connor Jennings repeated the feat after the break, as Tranmere Rovers officially put rivals Lincoln City on notice with the 9-0 demolition of Solihull Moors at Prenton Park.

Stockton even had time to take Rovers’ eighth missed penalty of the season, but it mattered little as the Whites ran riot against lowly opposition.

Three from Connor Jennings after the break and one apiece from Andy Cook, Liam Ridehalgh and Aaron Collins completed the trouncing in what was an exhibition of attacking force from the hosts.

Micky Mellon kept faith with the side that dramatically edged past Sutton United midweek, keeping top scorer Cook on the bench.

There was a first appearance on the substitute’s bench for Portuguese winger Erico Sousa, who joined the club last month from Accrington Stanley.

The opening 10 minutes was totally forgettable before Cole Stockton collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned his man and chipped the goalkeeper, only to see his beautiful effort crash off the underside of the bar.

James Norwood used his pace to latch onto a ball over the top from Ridehalgh, but Danny Lewis saved his first time shot at the near post.

Stockton headed over from the resultant corner, as Rovers started to settle into their rhythm.

Lee Vaughan headed Connor Jennings’ overhead kick on target but it was easily held by Lewis.

But there was a drama at the other end when miscommunication between Scott Davies and Steve McNulty resulted in the latter nodding a bouncing ball past he own ‘keeper but the wrong side of the post.

That let off was soon made amends for when Tranmere took the lead in the 20th minute.

A perfect left foot cross from Norwood was met with a bullet header from Stockton that gave Lewis no chance.

A cross from Vaughan was then headed over by lively Stockton who was showing why crowd favourite Cook was not an automatic selection.

In the 25th minute he had his second of the afternoon when he collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled it into the corner of the net past Lewis.

A minute later Tranmere were awarded a penalty when Connor Jennings was pushed over in the box.

Having missed their last four penalties, the responsibility fell to Stockton with the chance to complete a first half hat-trick, but just like his predecessors he was unable to convert the spot kick with the overworked Lewis saving well to his left.

The visitors had to wait until the 35th minute before they could fashion a serious effort on goal, with Ashley Sammons pulling a 25 yarder wide.

Kristian Green flashed another one wide for Solihull with the interval approaching but it was an opening 45 minutes that had been dominated by Stockton and Tranmere.

And the Rovers striker would complete his hat-trick before half time, when Ridehalgh slipped the ball across the face of the goal and Stockton gleefully arrived at the back post, sliding in his third of the afternoon.

The goal difference deficit over 11 to close with Lincoln, Tranmere wasted no time increasing their lead after the break.

Connor Jennings found the net in the 48th minute with a sweet low drive into the bottom left corner and two minutes later he had another when he nodded Lee Vaughan’s right side cross in from close range.

The hosts smelt blood and brought on Cook for the brilliant Stockton who was afforded a standing ovation.

The club’s top scorer saw one effort saved before Michael Ihiekwe headed just over.

Solihull’s exhausted goalie Lewis then tipped a header from Cook over the bar as the onslaught continued.

Cook didn’t have to wait long for his goal however, when Vaughan cross from the right in the 69th minute the prolific marksmen header home with a trademark finish.

Aaron Collins was handed his debut – coming on for the excellent Norwood – a soon forced another save out of Lewis with a left foot strike.

The virtually redundant Davies had to tip a free kick from Sammons around the post before Collins hit the woodwork himself at the other end.

Erico Sousa came on for his debut with seven minutes remaining, replacing the superb Jay Harris.

The tricky winger immediately won a free kick on the edge of the box, which Ridehalgh beautifully converted into the top corner with a sweet left foot strike.

There was still time for Collins to score his first goal for the club in the 90th minute before Jennings completed his hat-trick with the pick of the goals – a half volley struck with the outside of his boot that bent into the top corner.

Forest Green are next for Tranmere here on Tuesday night. They won’t get much sleep in the days leading up to it.