Edrissa Sonko's first goal for the Club secured Tranmere's place in the draw for the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

There were three changes to the side that beat Northampton 4-1, with Ben Chorley, Gareth Edds and Ian Goodison replaced by George O'Callaghan and young defenders Luke Waterfall and Ryan Shotton. Antony Kay reverted to a central defence role, while former Rovers midfielder John Mullin started for Accrington Stanley.

Shotton's cross provided the first chance of the match but Accrington keeper Ian Dunbavin was quickly off his line to collect. The former Shrewsbury stopper could only palm away a Chris Shuker cross on three minutes but Edrissa Sonko was unable to turn his header goalwards and the visiting defence cleared.

On 12 minutes Bas Savage beat Dunbavin to an Andy Taylor cross but his shot went wide of goal, while Shuker volleyed high over the bar three minutes later.

Peter Cavanagh shot wide for the visitors on 19 minutes, but soon after Stanley were forced into making a substitution. Craig Curran slid into the box for a loose ball and the wet grass took him feet first into the goalkeeper and Dunbavin was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

Waterfall rose highest to meet a Taylor free kick on 27 minutes but his header went wide of goal, while Sonko shot wide on 31 minutes after Savage had weaved his way past three opponents inside the centre circle.

Waterfall, who showed his aerial prowess with two goals in pre-season at Cammell Laird, was again in the thick of the action on 38 minutes, heading narrowly wide from Shuker's free kick. It was the final chance of the half as the sides went into the break all square.

Former Barnsley youth team defender Waterfall proved himself inside his own area on 46 minutes, sliding back to win the ball from David Worrell after the ball had broken to him from Fola Onibuje.

Rovers broke the deadlock with their first attack of the half on 49 minutes. Curran cut in from the right, slid the ball back for Sonko and the Gambian international fired into the top right corner with his left foot from 16 yards.

Curran shot wide from 30 yards on 62 minutes after beating Mullin to an aerial ball and Waterfall headed straight at substitute keeper Kenny Arthur from a Taylr cross soon after as Rovers looked to double their advantage.

The home side had to make their first change of the game on 64 minutes, with the injured Kay replaced by Charlie Barnett. Barnett moved straight into the centre of midfield, with Steve Jennings dropping to right back and Shotton moving into the centre of defence.

Shuker saw a shot well saved by Arthuer from a tight angle on 75 minutes shortly before being replaced by Ian Moore on the right side of midfield.

Rovers then saw out the final few minutes for the win.

Referee: Oliver Langford

Yellow cards: Williams (57), Jennings (57)