The home side made three changes for the game against Rovers, with Batth, Henderson and Platt being replaced by Reid, Wordsworth and Gillespie.

It was to be Reid's first start since the 0-0 draw against Gillingham in January, whilst Wordsworth returned from suspension.

The U's knew that they had to win the game and got the goal they needed to set them on their way within four minutes.

The Rovers defence struggled to clear their lines and the ball dropped to Wordsworth on the edge of the box.

The midfielder showed great technique to hook the ball past Gulacsi and into the top corner with a superb effort for his eleventh of the season.

However, as like the week before, the visitors were level within a couple of minutes.

Williams pulled off a superb stop from the initial shot and, although it looked like it went over the bar, it dropped into the six yard area.

The first follow-up effort was blocked. But Rovers striker Thomas-Moore was on hand to tuck the ball home from close range.

The U's had been hit by the sucker punch again and knew they had to go again if they were to get their noses back in front.

It took them a little time to get going after being pegged back, and the visitors were looking to exploit the nerves in the U's side.

But the U's were next to go close on 16 minutes as Tierney made the most of the space afforded to him down the left and Wordsworth, who had tucked inside, flicked a header just past the post.

There wasn't much in the way of chances in the next ten minutes, and the U's had an injury worry just after the half hour mark as Vincent went to ground.

He went in bravely for a challenge on the right and was left writhing on the floor and, after extensive treatment, was replaced by Henderson.

The match was proving to be a feisty one at times, with players crunching into challenges - Prutton going into the book just before half time.

The U's were persisting though, and some good play down the right saw the ball swung to the far post for Wordsworth, who headed just over the bar.

That feistyness came to a head as half time approached. Lisbie fouled his man and as they got up from the ground, Labadie pushed his head into the U's man's midriff, causing a fracas.

Both players were spoken to by the referee and shown the yellow card, which raised the hackles of the home fans who felt that Lisbie was clearly the aggrieved party.

The U's fans almost had something to cheer not long afterwards as chief goal threat Wordsworth curled a free kick that the keeper held well at the far post.

The second half started with Tranmere having the territorial advantage and the U's frustrations rose after the restart.

Okuonghae let the referee know what for when another decision went against him, whilst Gillespie was the latest to go into the book for a foul on the run as the U's looked to escape at the back.

The U's were not enjoying the rub of the green - a fine cross by White saw the ball bounce off Lisbie's shoulder, allowing Gulacsi to collect.

The home frustrations were perhaps understandable, as a series of decisions went against them in the first ten minutes of the second half.

And, as their side struggled to get their game going, the frustration was also in the stands.

In an attempt to lift his side's performance, boss Boothroyd introduced Hackney for Izzet for the final half an hour of the game.

They had a couple of half chances following his introduction, before the wide man himself burst through the Rovers defence before smashing a shot just past the post on the angle.

Shortly afterwards, Henderson crossed from the byline and Lisbie set himself for an acrobatic effort which was cleared in the nick of time by a punch from Gulacsi.

The match had lost its momentum but burst into life with 17 minutes to go as Savage beat the offside trap and dropped it back for Thomas-Moore, whose effort was blocked well by Okuonghae.

Rovers substitute Robinson drove a shot over the bar, before Kayode Odejayi was introduced for the final fifteen minutes in place of Gillespie.

As the final ten minutes got underway, both sides were still seeking the equaliser, but both keepers awaited a serious test.

Rovers began that period with the territorial advantage, but the U's quickly switched that around.

Odejayi burst through the Rovers defence before sending over a dangerous cross that noone could get on the end of, before Lisbie got to the byline and sent over a low cross that the substitute striker couldn't get to.

But Rovers were to finish strongly and Williams was called into action three times to clear the ball from danger.

The U's were to finish the game with ten men amidst those chances, as Prutton was sent off for kicking the ball away, earning him a second yellow card.

As he was making his way down the tunnel, Williams made his best save of the day, tipping a fierce drive from Broomes over the bar with the most acrobatic of saves.

It was the last chance of the game and the U's were left to rue another foregone lead.