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Shaun Garnett was able to name a very strong Tranmere side, as John Achterberg, Danny Holmes, John Mullin, Michael Jones, Craig Curran and, for the first time in six months, Steve Davies, played. For Carlisle, Kevin Gall, who scored the goal in a 1-0 win for Carlisle against Tranmere at Brunton Park last season, started along with first-teamers Paul Thirwall, Danny Carlton and Paul Arnison.
The first half was very flat and as a result there were very few clear cut chances. However, it took just two minutes for Steve Davies to get back into his stride, as after Mike Jones found the winger on the left, Davies played a magnificent first time pass over the defence to Craig Curran, but the striker couldn't make anything of it.
Tranmere then had a couple of corners, but both were hit too deep, whilst a Davies cross was headed down to nobody by Terry Gornell.
Most of the pressure there was thoughwas mainly in the Tranmere half of the field, with John Achterberg easily the busiest of the 'keepers.
The big Dutchman was forced to pull off a number of saves, with his two best coming as he firstly dived low to his left to firmly palm a 16-yard shot away from goal, before an unmarked Carlisle forward headed the ball too close to Actherberg from near the six yard box.
Another Carlisle effort was hit straight into the side netting, whilst Craig Curran picked up a booking for a rash tackle as he tried to win back a ball that was being run out of play by the Carlisle defender.
Just after the half-hour mark, giant defender Ashton Taylor, who had won a number of key tackles and headers at the back, limped off the field following some treatment from super Les, with Luke Denson replacing the Tranmere defender, meaning Danny Holmes shuffled across to centre-back as Denson slotted in at right-back.
Tranmere's best chance of the first half was an effort from Mike Jones that was hit straight at the goalkeeper from distance, and by the comparison, the home side were much better in the second 45 as they dominated the game.
Tranmere changed their shape for the second half, as Mike Jones switched to the left-wing whilst Steve Davies occupied the left, perhaps indicating that Jones will get a game against Nottingham Forest for the first team on Saturday.
Just minutes after the re-start, Ryan Mitchell headed a Steve Davies corner over the bar, before the defender then horribly connected with another corner a few moments later as he somehow managed to head the ball straight at Terry Gornell, who was standing well outside the goal post.
Gornell himself was then involved, as the highly rated striker created himself an opening in the box after a mazey run, only for his curling effort from twelve yards to landed inches wide of the post.
On 55-minutes, Craig Curran was shown a second yellow card as he slid in on the 'keeper, completely miss-timing his tackle and taking the 'keeper after the ball had gone. Curran was therefore dismissed, but Rovers seemed to grow, despite having only ten men.
Come the end of the game, Steve Davies looked completely wiped out. However, the winger had just completed his first 90 minutes in competative football after six months out and he did put in a strong performance. Things can only get better from here for the winger, and lets hope he signs a new contract soon!
Shaun Garnett's side now created a number of chances, with Gornell hitting another shot wide from close range before Steve Davies expertly hit a free-kick from 30-yards towards the goalkeepers' bottom right-hand corner, only for the 'keeper to dive across and save the shot.
The referee seemed reluctant to give Tranmere many decisions though, whilst a number of "questionable" offsides went against Terry Gornell.
Carlisle did have their chances though, and it was bemusing to players and spectators how the ball did not force it's way into the goal on one occasion, when a corner was not cleared and the second Carlisle shot bounced through the Tranmere defence, almost in slow motion, before bouncing to safety off the post.
Davies hit another free-kick well over the bar for Tranmere before the visiters grabbed an undeserved winner three minutes from time.
A corner came in from the Carlisle right and a towering Danny Carlton was allowed to rise unchallanged and send a powerful header into the top corner.
Tranmere rallied in the last three minutes, plus the five minutes additional time, but in the end they just couldn't hit the back of the net.
Shaun Garnett's best chance fell to Steve Davies, as the winger powered his way through the defence, and with help of a lucky bounce, broke into the area on the right-hand side before curling a shot just wide of the far post.
However, the game ended in a 1-0 defeat for Tranmere, meaning in eleven home reserve league games this season, the second string have picked up just two wins.
For Tranmere, Tom Beahon was the man of the match. The midfielder put in a performance not unlike that of Steve Jennings for the first team, bursting forward to join the attack on occasions whilst also breaking up plenty of attacks from the opposition at the other end.
Steve Davies put in a good shift for Tranmere, although, understandably, by the end of the 90 minutes the youngster was very tired. However, he did show he still has what it takes to be a good player, but more match fitness is surely required before he makes a first team appearance.
Danny Holmes was solid in defence, winning key tackles all night, whilst Terry Gornell created plenty upfront, although he couldn't test the 'keeper with his efforts.
John Mullin was weak, often losing possession in key areas at both ends of the field, whilst Mike Jones tried hard and created some chances, although he took a touch too many on a number of occasions.