Rochdale book place in Carabao Cup first round with shoot-out win over Tranmere

Rochdale booked their place in the Carabao Cup first round with a penalty shoot-out win over Tranmere after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Prenton Park.

Dale triumphed 2-1 in the shoot-out after Ryan East and Zain Silcott-Duberry’s strikes cancelled out Charlie Whitaker and Jordan Davies’ impressive finishes.

Tranmere’s opener came inside five minutes as Whitaker latched on to Tom Conlon’s through ball before calmly dinking past the onrushing Nils Ramming to give Darrell Clarke’s side an early lead.

Rovers’ joy was short-lived though, as East lashed home from close range to level proceedings in the 11th minute following a goalmouth scramble.

Rochdale settled after the break and looked the more likely before Davies struck home with an excellent half-volley to the keeper’s bottom left on the hour mark.

Dale refused to accept defeat, though, and substitute Silcott-Duberry provided the equaliser with five minutes to go, firing past Harrison Male at the back post from East’s corner.

Ramming prevented a certain Davies goal in stoppage time with a superb save to his left, before Jacob Slater volleyed narrowly wide to ensure the tie headed for penalties.

Tranmere missed four spot-kicks in a row as Rochdale’s place in the next round was confirmed after debutant Courtney Baker-Richardson blazed over.