It is a well-worn adage in football, but true all the same.

Successful sides have the knack of not being beaten when they play badly.

A one-sided encounter at Prenton Park was a classic case in point.

Albion played badly, yet more by luck and the judgement of Michel Kuipers their undefeated start stayed in tact.

This time last season the big Dutchman was not even Albion's first choice keeper. He had been humiliatingly substituted by Mark Cartwright at half time in an opening day defeat at Southend, because of his poor kicking.

He eventually regained his place and a record number of clean sheets contributed to the title triumph.

One of Kuipers' stops, from substitute Richard Walker in a 1-0 win at Withdean in February against today's opponents Blackpool, was named save of the month.

On Saturday, towards the end of the first half, he produced two contenders for the August award.

In the 33rd minute a lightning quick break by rampant Rovers climaxed with a low cross by Mickey Mellon.

Elusive right winger Andy Parkinson seemed certain to convert it from close range until Kuipers spread his considerable frame to pull off an eyecatching reflex save.

Even better followed as Albion yearned for the relief of the half-time whistle.

Parkinson picked out Wayne Allison, lurking at the back post, with a pinpoint cross.

The former Bristol City and Swindon striker rose above Danny Cullip to power a header which had goal written all over it, only for Kuipers to somehow keep it out with an outstretched right hand.

Kuipers, modest as ever, said: "With the first one he just appeared at the near post and I quickly got my feet around and saved it.

"It was just a reaction. I saw him coming from the corner of my eye.

"For the second one I expected him to head it back across to the far post, but he headed it to the near post and I just got there.

"That gave me more satisfaction, because I thought about it more. The first one was just a natural reaction.

"It was about the same as the one against Blackpool and the good thing is it influenced the result of the game as well."

Kuipers' commanding form owes something to the attention to detail of manager Micky Adams.

Albion had the luxury last season of two goalkeeping coaches in Mike Kelly, who fulfilled the role for England under Terry Venables, and John Keeley.

Kelly, a pal of Adams from his time at Nottingham Forest, is now working in China, but former Albion favourite Keeley continues to coach Kuipers and Will Packham in tandem with his kit man duties.

"We train hard with John, often staying behind," said Kuipers, who signed a new two-year contract in the summer. "We do a lot of footwork. If you get your feet into the right position you have got a chance."

It was quite a feat for the Seagulls to still be level at the break. Tranmere, boosted by the return of Jason Koumas, were impressively slick.

The Welsh international exploited the space between the midfield and back four which, coupled with Parkinson's pace on the flank, posed plenty of problems.

Fortunately for Albion Stuart Barlow left his scoring boots at home. The ex-Everton stalwart, fresh from goals in consecutive games, should have helped himself to a hat-trick.

He lobbed watsefully over on the stroke of half time when clean through and blazed wide from eight yards early into the restart after a Gareth Roberts cross brushed off the head of Kerry Mayo.

The unmarked Barlow spurned another golden opportunity in the closing stages, heading wide another centre from the left by Roberts.

His namesake, Ken, from Coronation Street, is much deadlier in the Rovers when he comes to blows with his arch rival Mike Baldwin!

Speaking of blows, Adams likened the match to an unequal boxing contest. His team were certainly on the ropes and so punchdrunk by the midway mark that he made a triple substitution at the interval for the first time in his managerial career.

As well as Mayo returning to the fold at leftback for Nathan Jones, Lee Steele again replaced Dirk Lehmann up front, while Geoff Pitcher made his debut at the expense of Gary Hart.

Pitcher had one of Albion's few chances, his late shot from the edge of the box when Steele created room for him bending narrowly over the bar.

Adams, brutally honest in his assessment afterwards, said: "I wish I'd had another seven subs. It was one of those days when you were praying for the final whistle.

"We've made a nice start and I will take the point, how ever lucky it was."

Simon Morgan and Cullip, deputising as captain for the sorely missed Paul Rogers, were sound once more at the heart of the rearguard action, but it was hard to quarrel with Dave Watson's summing up.

"I am totally disappointed," said the deflated Tranmere boss. "We played some great stuff in the first half and should have been four goals ahead, but we couldn't put the ball in the net."

For Albion chalking up another early point is what really counts. The value of this one, given the quality of the opposition, promises to increase as the season progresses.