With two midfielders again playing in the back four, Jonny Blake at left-back and Grant Smith at centre-half, United did well to keep a clean sheet in the match. Kevin Gall hitting the crossbar and Michael Burns striking the post being two other chances that went close for Carlisle in converting that clean sheet to an even greater margin of victory.
Youngsters Dave Wilson and Josh Macauley went the closest to finding the net for Rovers but it was Rothery's effort 20 minutes from time that meant the Blues claimed all three points. Next week sees a top of the table clash as Manchester City, two points behind United but with two games in hand, visit Cumbria to take on Carlisle in a 2pm kick-off on Monday afternoon at Brunton Park.
Tranmere line-up :
Peter Kennedy, Danny Holmes, Aaron Cresswell, Luke Denson, Luke Waterfall, Paul Henry, Jack Mackreth, George O'Callaghan, Josh Macauley, Louis Corrigan, Dave Wilson.
Substitutes :
John Achterberg, Gerwyn Jones, Joel Richardson and Ross Rule.
United line-up :
Alex Mitchell, Simon Lakeland, Jonny Blake, Tom Aldred, Grant Smith, Luke Joyce, Gavin Rothery, Michael Burns, Kevin Gall, Gary Madine, Conor Tinnion.
Substitutes :
Jamie Cleary, Andy Cook, Liam Davison, Sean Law and John Seaton.
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