An Omari Patrick brace condemned United to their first league defeat of the season at Brunton Park.
The former Carlisle man, Patrick, netted either side of a fine Archie Davies strike on 8 minutes.
United started on the front-foot with Dan Adu-Adjei latching onto a lofted through ball, prior to winning a free-kick for the hosts. The set piece resulted in nothing as Davies’ delivery went narrowly beyond the arriving debutant, Jordan Jones.
Omari Patrick opened the scoring on 6 minutes. The visitors found themselves in down the left and after the Blues failed to clear, the former Carlisle man found himself free to slot home from inside the box.
Archie Davies provided an instant response for United two minutes later, meeting a delivery and finding the corner superbly following a slight touch from Adu-Adjei prior to his effort.
The goalscorer continued to provide a threat in the following minutes, showing great determination down the right to win Paul Simpson’s side another corner as we approached the 15-minutes mark.
Ten minutes later, midfielder Josh Vela saw an effort go flying over the bar from the edge of the area after a United free-kick.
On 35 minutes, the Blues looked to counter with the ball finding its way to Jones on the right, before delivering to Charlie Wyke, whose header landed the wrong side of Luke McGee’s post.
Eight minutes before the break, Patrick doubled his tally, restoring Rovers’ lead in superb fashion. After a corner, the attacker played a one-two on the edge of the area, before curling brilliantly into the far corner beyond Harry Lewis.
On the verge of half-time, Jones found himself free inside the Tranmere box, before guiding an effort off target.
HALF-TIME: United 1-2 Tranmere Rovers
Early in the second-half, Jon Mellish found himself free down the left twice, but was unable to find a teammate on both occasions.
Dominic Sadi entered the action after an hour, replacing Josh Vela - the midfielder joined a contest which entered a lull after Mellish’s aforementioned opportunities early in the second ‘45.
Jones looked to force an opening for United midway through the second-half, but his low delivery was collected by Tranmere ‘keeper McGee before Wyke could get a touch.
The visitors’ left-back, Zak Bradshaw, came close to adding a third and would’ve done so if it wasn’t for a strong low stop from Lewis.
As we entered the final 10 minutes, United continued to push for the leveller, but Rovers’ backline was standing firm, denying any big chance that would giveaway their one-goal advantage.
Substitute Luke Armstrong had a wonderful chance to restore parity in the closing stages following a deep cross from Davies, but he glanced his header over McGee’s crossbar.
Despite giving it their all in the last moments, the Blues were unable to find the equaliser.
FULL-TIME: United 1-2 Tranmere Rovers
Teams:
Carlisle United - Lewis, Davies, Thomas, Hayden (66’ Barclay), Wyke ©, Jones (78’ Armstrong), Adu-Adjei, Vela (60’ Sadi), Neal, Williams (78’ Ellis), Mellish
Unused subs - Breeze, Lavelle, O’Donoghue
Tranmere Rovers - McGee, Norman, Bradshaw, Davies ©, Turnbull, Davison (60’ Saunders), Merrie, Jennings, O’Connor, Wood, Patrick
Unused subs - Murphy, Morris, Hendry, Dennis, Solomon, Williams
Match officials:
Referee - Simon Mather
Assistant Referee - Jonathan Wyatt
Assistant Referee - Ivan Stankovic
Fourth Official - Steven Lawson
Attendance:
8,003 (723 away)
