Admission was reduced to ?5 for the encounter but it was hardly value for money as both sides lacked firepower and defences generally held the upper hand. The visitors won it, though, thanks to a flash of magic from Oliver Johnson in the 77th minute which sealed a narrow 1-0 triumph.
Chances were few and far between in the opening period. Lateef Elford-Alliyu struck the side-netting with Rovers` best effort while a deflected Paul Huntington strike for Town was saved comfortably by Tony Warner.
Tranmere failed to test visiting keeper Stephen Henderson until the hour mark when he turned aside a power strike by Elford-Alliyu.
Both sides made changes to try and liven things up. And Tranmere had a great chance in the 74th minute but Enoch Showunmi missed the target with Henderson off his line.
At the other end Johnson fired wide but then made amends with a superb 77th-minute lob from fully 25 yards after Michael Kay had failed to control a headed clearance by keeper Warner.
Source: PA
Source: PA