Paolo Di Canio's team were quick out of the blocks, with Danny Hollands and
Raffaele De Vita giving them a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes.
Andy Williams made it 3-0 in the 21st and Matt Ritchie got a fourth in the 33rd
minute, before Williams fired across hapless goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams and into the far corner to make it 5-0 six minutes into the second half.
Williams missed a 62nd-minute penalty on a grim night for Tranmere - who have now gone six matches without a win.
At the other end, Bury drew 2-2 with Shrewsbury - with a late goal denying the
visiting Shrews a first away win of the season.
Marvin Morgan gave Shrewsbury a dream start with a first minute goal but Matt Doherty levelled nine minutes later. Jon Taylor restored the visitors' lead
midway through the second half but Steven Schumacher equalised at the end.
