Tranmere Rovers2-2Rochdale

Tranmere Rovers bowed out of the League Cup after Rochdale won 2-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Prenton Park. The preliminary-round tie had swung both ways over 90 minutes before the visitors held their nerve in the shootout.
Rovers began brightly and were ahead inside four minutes. Charlie Whitaker finished from the centre of the box after Tom Conlon released him with a through ball, giving the home side the early advantage. Rochdale responded in the 11th minute when Ryan East scored from close range to restore parity.
Jordan Davies was prominent in the first half, forcing Nils Ramming into saves and drawing fouls in useful areas, while Whitaker and Conlon both went close. The sides went in level at the interval, with Tranmere having created the clearer early openings but Rochdale still carrying a threat from set pieces.
Tranmere regained the lead on the hour. Jordan Turnbull supplied the assist and Davies drove a left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner from the left of the area. Darrell Clarke then changed the side during the second half, introducing Zane Okoro and Tom Ince after 61 minutes, followed by Lewis Warrington and Courtney Baker-Richardson at 72. Bobby Faulkner replaced the injured Turnbull four minutes later.
Rochdale forced their way back into the tie five minutes from time. Zain Silcott-Duberry converted from close range after a corner sequence, leaving Tranmere to push for a late winner. Davies, Ince and Okoro all tested Ramming in a lengthy period of added time, while Jacob Slater also went close after a succession of corners.
The shootout brought the cruellest conclusion. Davies converted Tranmere's first kick, but Okoro and Ince were denied before Whitaker struck the bar and Baker-Richardson sent the final Rovers effort over. Rochdale converted through Ed Francis and Silcott-Duberry to take the tie 2-1 on penalties. Tranmere will rue the late equaliser after twice leading the contest, but their focus now turns to the league campaign.