Rovers were missing a number of players who were expected to lpay as none of John Achterberg, Craig Curran, Adnan Ahmed, John Mullin, Carl Tremarco and Anthony Kay featured, meaning the only player with first team experience in the Rovers side was winger Mike Jones.
The first half was dull and saw little goal-mouth action and it wasn't until after striker MacAughley had been replaced with an injury by Dave Wilson that the first action came, unfortunatly in the Rovers penalty area.
Triallist goalkeeper David Crawford did excellently to keep a shot out of the net, but only succeeded in pushing the ball straight out to Mike Johnston who had no time to react before the ball hit him and bounced into the net.
The second half however saw much more action, with Rovers registering their first shot on target in the 53-minute as Ashton Taylor saw his lob cleared off the line after the Rochdale goalkeeper had run into no-mans-land in the 18-yard box.
Minutes later, Rovers levelled the score thanks to Terry Gornell. Mike Jones weaved his way into the area and after it appeared he had taken too many touches, the ball fell kindly for Gornell who thumped the ball past the hapless 'keeper.
Shortly after the goal, Ryan Fraughen, normally a central midfielder, replaced Mike Blundell on the left-wing as Shaun Garnett's side pushed for a win.
Rovers had more chances, with Jones in particular showing flashes of brilliance in and around the area before Danny Holmes scored a magnificent winner for Tranmere.
The right-footed defender picked up the ball 30-yards from goal on the right side of the area and unleashed an unstoppable and magical shot with his wrong foot which curled perfectly into the top corner, again leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Terry Gornell had a chance to earn Tranmere a 3-1 win as he headed just wide of the far post from 6-yards whilst Jones saw his shot blocked after the ball fell to him from Wilson's miss-hit shot.