You would have thought a win at Tranmere Rovers would have been the perfect managerial debut for new Latics manager Paul Dickov.

Despite the obvious delight at the 2-1 victory, achieved courtesy of two stunning strikes from Dale Stephens, Dickov remarked there is still scope for considerable improvement.

He explained: "I was delighted with the boys. We played well and deserved the three points without performing anywhere near as good as we can do.

"It is a matter of keeping feet on the ground as I feel we are better than we showed today.

"We knew Tranmere would make it very hard for us so to go away and pick up three points is great, never mind in my first game and the opening one of the season."

Dickov thought there were a couple of spells when Latics allowed Tranmere to take control, though he was satisfied with the overall performance saying Reuben Hazell and Jason Jarrett were "outstanding" in the centre of defence.

There were also words of praise for Stephens whose two strikes proved invaluable with Dickov describing him as probably the most technically gifted footballer at Boundary Park.

Dickov said: "Dale is a box-to-box player, his work ethic is fantastic and he is also a very good footballer.

"We are constantly telling him to have a shot as he gets into some great positions."

Latics, who won for the fourth successive season at Prenton Park, had a terrific 1,764 following which almost filled the Cow Shed Stand.

The new Latics flag, a Saltire bearing the slogan 'Wee Jock's Barmy Army,' also made its debut as fans were in fine voice, even before the 2010/11 season had kicked off.

Stand-in captain Hazell later remarked how astounded he was by the size of the travelling army which he believes can become the team's 12th man in the forthcoming campaign.

Dickov's team selection offered no surprises as he kept faith with the side which has performed so well pre-season which meant new-boy Jean Yves M'voto had to settle for a place on the bench.

Fellow Sunderland recruit Oumare Tounkare landed a starting spot as he came in for the injured striker Ryan Brooke who damaged ankle ligaments in the final pre-season friendly against Preston. Brooke was at the game on crutches.

Lewis Alessandra had a couple of decent attempts at goal for Latics in the opening 10 minutes before they received a let off when Tranmere's robust striker Enoch Showunmi had a free header, but failed to hit the target.

Latics made the important breakthrough in the 27th minute when Jason Jarrett was fouled on the edge of the box. It was inches from being a penalty.

It may as well have been a spot kick as Stephens fired an unstoppable free kick low round the defensive wall and beyond Faroe Islands keeper Gunnar Nielsen.

Latics remained in control for most of the match as keeper Dean Brill was a near spectator with precious little to do.

They needed a second goal, and that almost came 14 minutes from time when Nielsen and centre-half Nick Wood collided.

The ball fell invitingly to Tounkare whose goalbound shot was headed off the line by the dreadlocked Jamaican defender Ian Goodison.

The second goal finally came after 81 minutes when Paul Black and Warren Feeney linked and set up Stephens who found the net with an unstoppable low drive on the run from 25 yards.

Incredibly the player, who only scored twice last season, matched that total in the space of one hour.

It was just as well Stephens scored that goal as Tranmere halved the deficit in the 89th minute.

Latics were caught out following a corner as Ian Thomas-Moore's header looped into the roof of the net to give the hosts an unexpected lifeline.

It left Latics to endure a nervous final few moments, though they were never troubled again and thoroughly deserved their victory, something even the most diehard Tranmere fan could not argue with.

Tranmere (4-3-3): Nielsen; Darville, Goodison, Wood, Cresswell; McLaren (Fraughan 61), Welsh, Labadie; Showunmi, Thomas-Moore, Gornell. Subs (not used): Collister, Mackreth, Blanchard, Benson, Power, Bakayogo.

Latics (4-4-2): Brill; Lee, Hazell, Jarrett, Black; Jones, Stephens, Furman, Alessandra; Feeney, Tounkare (Kelly 84). Subs (not used): M'voto, Ollerenshaw, Holdsworth, Millar, Bembo, Kelly.

Referee: Mr G Salisbury.

Attendance: 7, 270 (1,764 visitors).