Carlisle United 2 Tranmere Rovers 3: James Vaughan grabbed a late winner as Carlisle United lost at home to Tranmere.

The visiting striker slid home a cross from sub David Nugent as Keith Hill's side pounced for all three points.

Carlisle had led twice in the first half through Joshua Kayode and Nick Anderton but twice they were pegged back through Kaiyne Woolery and Vaughan.

Kayode had an effort cleared off the line before Vaughan netted the winner.

Striker Kayode was unmarked at close range to fire an Anderton cross high into the net as United made the perfect start at a rainswept Brunton Park.

It followed a break down the left involving Callum Guy, skipper Anderton and the recalled Gime Toure.

United had efforts to increase their lead, a Guy free-kick causing problems and Joe Riley having a shot saved by Scott Davies.

But Tranmere came back, George Tanner's tackle denying Woolery a leveller before, in the 21st minute, Carlisle failed to deal with a ball forward and were outnumbered at the back as Liam Feeney squared for Woolery to score.

Anderton quickly restored United's lead, powering a shot past Davies from outside the box after good work from Toure, before the impressive Toure almost set up Jon Mellish for a third.

Guy got back to rob the dangerous Woolery as, late in the first half, Tranmere tried to hit back a second time.

A Danny Lloyd cross almost led to a second way back for Keith Hill's side, but Vaughan's 43rd-minute delivery from the left did bring a second Tranmere goal.

United's defence failed to clear the diagonal cross, which eventually bounced past the deceived Paul Farman.

Chances were fewer after the break, Woolery twice almost getting through on the break while United forced a series of corners in a sustained spell of pressure.

Anderton almost set up Toure with a far-post cross as the game moved into its final quarter.

Kayode then came very close to putting United back in front but his header from a Guy corner was cleared off the line.

Beech brought on Offrande Zanzala and Lewis Alessandra for the final 10 minutes, then replacing Aaron Hayden with Rod McDonald after Hayden's backpass gifted Woolery a chance which Farman did well to tip around the post.

Carlisle, though, had no reply when sub Nugent found space on the right and his unselfish cross was turned in by Vaughan.

The Cumbrians slipped a place to 10th, and return to action on Saturday at home to Oldham.

United: Farman, Tanner, Anderton, Hayden (McDonald 81), Bennett, Guy, Riley, Mellish (Dickenson 88), Patrick (Zanzala 79), Toure (Alessandra 79), Kayode. Not used: Norman, Furman, Scott. 

Goals: Kayode 3, Anderton 27. 

Tranmere: Davies, Nelson (O’Connor 48), MacDonald, Clarke, Ray, Spearing, Lewis, Lloyd (Morris 70), Feeney, Woolery (Nugent 86), Vaughan. Not used: Murphy, Ridehalgh, Crawford, Kirby. 

Goals: Woolery 21, Vaughan 43, 88.

Booked: Lewis.