Doncaster Rovers 3 Tranmere Rovers 0: Doncaster ease past Tranmere’s challenge

Doncaster survived the first-round cull of Championship sides in the Carling Cup as they eased past League One Tranmere.

Chris Brown marked his home debut with a penalty and set up the second for Ryan Mason.

And the on-loan Tottenham playmaker in turn became the provider for another summer signing, Kyle Bennett, to round off the win.

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The home side were ahead inside five minutes after John Welsh fouled James Coppinger in the box and Brown tucked away the spot-kick. The visitors went close to an equaliser shortly afterwards when Andy Robinson’s corner was met by defender Ian Goodison, but Richard Naylor blocked the Jamaican’s effort.

Both teams threatened from corners, with Brown’s effort saved before Mark McChrystal fired over at the other end.

Brown was again involved as Doncaster doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark as he teed up Mason.

They went close to a third when Mason was denied at close quarters by Owain Fon Williams and Bennett fired the rebound over.

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The irrepressible Mason drew a fine save from Fon Williams but Adam McGurk gave encouragement to Tranmere when his effort was saved by Gary Woods.

Mason then laid the ball back for Bennett to announce himself to the Keepmoat Stadium faithful with a wonderful third goal, chipping Fon Williams from 25 yards out.

Doncaster: Gary Woods, Hird, Naylor (Keegan 60), Friend, Spurr, Coppinger, Oster, Gillett, Mason (Baxendale 79), Bennett, Brown (Barnes 63). Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Radford, Wilding, Ball.

Tranmere: Fon Williams, Kay, Goodison, McChrystal (Raven 66), Bakayogo, Devaney (Akins 62), Weir, Robinson, Welsh, McGurk, Tiryaki (Showunmi 46). Unused substitutes: Coughlin, Labadie, Taylor, Buchanan.

Referee: G Sutton (Lincolnshire).