Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Walsall: Mike Dean stands in as fourth official after injury

Wirral-based Mike Dean has been a Premier League referee since 2000 and was an international referee from 2004 to 2013

Premier League referee and Tranmere fan Mike Dean had to be used as an emergency fourth official while watching Rovers' opening day League Two win over Walsall at Prenton Park.

Dean, 53, came down from the stands after 53 minutes following an injury to assistant referee Richard Bartlett.

A debut goal for Callum McManaman gave Rovers a 1-0 victory.

The former West Brom winger struck midway through the second half to give Micky Mellon's side a deserved win.

Mike Dean led the celebrations when Tranmere reached the 2019 League Two play-off final

McManaman also had Rovers' best moment of a goalless first half as fellow new signing Emmanuel Dieseruvwe played him through on goal, only to be denied by a perfectly timed tackle from Manny Monthe against his former club.

McManaman was then booked for diving as he burst through again with Dean notably unimpressed in the stands.

The home side maintained their ascendancy after the break but could not find a way through until McManaman met Chris Merrie's pullback with a first-time finish.

Merrie was then sent off for a rash challenge but the 10 men held on.

Match report from PA Media.