A much improved performance from the home side saw Rovers overcome high-flying Peterborough at Prenton Park.
A single goal from on-loan Arnaud Mendy just before half time proved the difference between the two sides, as Tranmere picked up their first win of the season to lift Les Parry's side out of the relegation zone.
And despite late pressure from the Posh, Rovers, who defended strongly throughout, were worthy winners in an entertaining clash of styles.
Much has been made of Peterborough's three-pronged strike force of Mackail-Smith, Boyd and Mclean.
With a number of players out injured, Parry put faith in youth to deal with the threat, with loanees Darville and Grandison lining up alongside Cresswell and the experienced head of Ian Goodison in Rovers' backline.
Mendy was given his first start in midfield alongside fellow Frenchman Maxime Blanchard, with Ryan Fraughan given the job of supporting frontman Enoch Showunmi as Rovers returned to their usual 4-3-3 line up.
And following the close of the transfer window, Ian Thomas-Moore returned to the side alongside Adam McGurk in the wide roles, having seen his hopes of leaving for Rotherham fail.
It took just two minutes for Rovers to create their first chance, with Fraughan delivering a cross to the near post from the right hand side, only for McGurk to see his header well saved by talented England youngster Lewis in the Peterborough goal.
Blanchard was providing a good screen for the Tranmere defence, and was alert to end the danger when Boyd, who impressed in the first half, went on a run deep into Rovers' territory.
McGurk, who was seeing a lot of the ball early on, went close again after a long ball over the top sent him clear on the left, but his shot from a tight angle went wide of the target.
While Rovers were causing the Posh defence problems, they didn't have it all their own way, and another piece of good work from Boyd saw Mclean denied by a superb challenge from Leeds youngster Liam Darville.
This set the tone for much of the half, as Rovers worked hard all over the pitch to deny their opponents space and to hit them on the break where possible.
And is was from one such break that Rovers took the lead.
After Posh had twice gone close, with Collister tipping a long range effort over the bar shortly after a deflected effort had bounced off the angle of post and crossbar, Thomas-Moore released Showunmi from deep to run at the Peterborough defence.
The tall striker forced a throw-in, and the Posh defence were caught sleeping as a quick throw found Fraughan all alone to run into the box and calmly square the ball back from the byline for Mendy to slot home.
It was no more than Rovers deserved, but Thomas-Moore's gestures for the team to stay calm were worth heeding, as seconds later a mix up between Collister and Grandison saw the ball squeezed between the keeper's legs, only for Goodison to race round and clear in the last action of the half.
Rovers' fans expecting an early onslaught in the second half were not disappointed.
Peterborough shot out of the traps, no doubt having been given a roasting by manager Gary Johnson for their sloppiness with the goal, and had Rovers on the backfoot from the off.
A sustained period of pressure culminated in a great whipped free kick from Boyd, but no-one was on hand to finish.
Rovers grew in confidence as the game wore on though, and should have extended their lead on the hour mark.
A superb tackle from the impressive Mendy saw Thomas-Moore given space to run at the Posh defence, and his through ball sent Showunmi clear on goal.
But the big striker took too long attempting to get the ball back onto his favoured left foot, and his eventual shot was blocked.
Next to break clear was Thomas-Moore, but his effort was blocked again, this time with a suspicion of hand ball, but nothing was given.
Again Peterborough came back into the game, and went close soon after from a Mackail-Smith free kick sent just wide.
No foul was given following a dubious challenge on Fraughan in the centre circle, and as the ball reached the edge of the area, a foul was awarded against Grandison, despite the challenge appearing to be fair.
McGurk was replaced by Brown in the closing stages, who showed a couple of nice touches to get round his marker, but failed to find Fraughan who would have had a clear run on goal as Peterborough pushed for the elusive equaliser.
Despite some late pressure, it wasn't forthcoming, and Rovers held firm to deservedly claim their first three point haul of the season.
Rovers side: Collister, Darville, Grandison, Goodison, Cresswell, Blanchard, Mendy, Fraughan, Thomas-Moore, Showunmi, McGurk (Brown 66). Substitutes not used: Coughlin, Cathalina, Bakayogo, Wood, Power, Akins.
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