East Coast were left to rue a slow start and missed opportunities as they fell to a 5-1 defeat at home to Tranmere Victoria.

East Coast were looking to make a winning start at their new Ennerdale Leisure Centre home while Tranmere were looking to bounce back after an opening day defeat.

The home started with and experienced line-up of Ryan Tate, Joao Rodrigues, Jon Prosser, Matty Payne and Danny Horigold, but after a slow start they went behind inside two minutes to a well-organised Tranmere outfit.

Prosser had a chance to level the scores soon after but his effort flew over the bar after a rebounded effort.

The home side were still looking to settle into the game before finding themselves 3-0 down when Tranmere hit a quick fire double in the seventh minute.

Player coach Steve Brennan had a chance to pull one back coming on off the bench when he did well to make space for himself before seeing his shot blocked by the Tranmere goalkeeper.

Just minutes later the visitors added a fourth leading to East Coast calling a time-out.

However, the time-out failed to prevent Tranmere from adding a fifth five minutes before the break.

Rodrigues pulled a goal back for the home side when he turned his marker and fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner in the final minute of the first half.

East Coast came out much improved in the second period and troubled Tranmere with numerous efforts on goal.

Payne was looking threatening but failed to take his chances, coming closest when his left footed drive cannoned back off the up right.

Both sides came close but ultimately neither side added to their tally in what was a hard fought and even second half.

It was a frustrating afternoon for East Coast but the team will look to bounce back when they travel to Liverpool on the 13th November.