BIG MATCH VERDICT: Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Carlisle United

By the end, Tranmere – unbeaten in seven before Saturday, reputationally strong at home – had come up with little other than hanging crosses into Carlisle’s box. You will remember that United’s goalkeeper is not on the small side.

Up they went, up he went. Into Tomas Holy’s hands the ball vanished. And repeat. You may, if you’re a Tranmere fan, curse the lack of creativity you saw from your team as things unfolded on Saturday.

If you’re a Carlisle supporter, you’ll be keener to reflect on how that became the case. This was, if the Blues play it right, a season-defining victory, full of all the qualities Paul Simpson has installed, empty of the drawbacks that cost them at Stockport just four days earlier.

Owen Moxon wins a midfield battle (Image: Richard Parkes)

There was quite the best start to a game we have seen all campaign. There was aggression in attack, pace in passing, speed in thought and proactivity in defending.

There was character, and apparent readiness, in those summoned back in from the margins (Taylor Charters, Jack Ellis). There was, all in all, a magnificent rebuttal to the fears that the 2-0 defeat at Edgeley Park had represented the unavoidable, delayed impact of injuries and suspensions, a dilution of something, a regrettable drag to mid-table.

Not on your life. Carlisle are back in the play-off places and justifiably there. There is now no question that they have the appetite and teeth to respond to setback and challenge.

Imagine the belief that will soak the team, the squad, after this. Imagine (spoiler: you can’t) them going into any game from here wondering if they are capable or versatile enough to win it.

Kristian Dennis is congratulated after the early opener (Image: Richard Parkes)

Merrily, it all took place in front of another superb travelling support who, by the close, held the title deeds to Prenton Park. Tranmere’s fans started leaving at the 80-minute mark. For a long while after, this steep and storied old ground echoed to songs such as, ‘We’ve got super Paul Simpson’.

The manager, sensible as ever, was eager to talk about “being right” for the FA Cup tie against the same opponents seven days later. Yet Saturday’s events, surely, even played with Simpson’s imagination. “The work ethic, the enthusiasm to go and run, and close, and press, and tackle, and head…that should be a given every single game,” United’s manager said.

His squad ransacked by injuries and suspensions, Simpson had rifled through his limited remaining options (limited in number, that is) and come up with a new idea for this game: Charters, in his first league start for a year, on the left of an attacking three. It paid off because the west Cumbrian stepped into the game with confidence, not coldness.

Jack Stretton takes on two Tranmere men (Image: Richard Parkes)

As for that start – my word. The manoeuvring of the ball in midfield, a lovely ping from Callum Guy, a blistering dash by Jack Stretton, a sliding finish from Kristian Dennis. Thirty-nine seconds; a lead Carlisle would not surrender.

And a lead they consolidated with vibrant intent. Even the basics of their play were carried out promptly. Stretton, alongside Dennis, worked furiously hard in leading the line. United’s pressing and counter-punching seemed to spook Tranmere in general.

Dennis almost had more goals via a storming Jon Mellish run and, later, a Charters aerial win. The latter then burrowed through for a saved shot which Stretton pocketed (the offside flag denied him). For Tranmere, other than a deflected Josh Hawkes attempt, there was very little – United’s busy midfield saw to that, likewise a defence unarguably bolstered by Paul Huntington’s return, as Morgan Feeney also battled away in place of the unfortunate Corey Whelan.

Taylor Charters impressed on his first league start for a year (Image: Richard Parkes)

There was little chance for Dynel Simeu – booed by some in the away end – to impose his personality on things. There was simply too much awkward defending for him to do. Jack Armer very nearly converted an Ellis cross, Stretton almost hustled another chance out of Ethan Bristow, and it took Tranmere a good half hour to enjoy any sort of spell on the ball.

When they did, Kieron Morris’s ability was prominent and Holy had to show excellent agility to keep out his header from a corner. Otherwise, though, Carlisle’s defending, whether at base camp or further up, was sound; players teaming up to win it back, Huntington taking total command, United’s central midfielders superior to theirs.

And then – after Guy had gone off with a groin injury – the second goal early in the second half; a training-ground free-kick, Elliott Nevitt fouling Stretton, Dennis converting the penalty.

Kristian Dennis makes it 2-0 from the spot (Image: Richard Parkes)

It spoke of Carlisle’s confidence, as did the rest of proceedings. A supposed Tranmere revival simply did not come, other than in safe zones. A few corners were won, none troubled Carlisle. Josh Dacres-Cogley was an outlet on the right, but nothing resulted from his inroads.

There were those crosses, and those Holy claims. There was more outstanding work from teenager Ellis on the right, backed up by plenty more across the park.

There were songs from the away end, roars at full-time, loud Cumbrian vowels filling the damp Birkenhead air. It is hard, really hard, to think of a box this comprehensive, tantalising performance did not tick.