Joe Ironside and Kristian Dennis scored second-half penalties as Tranmere notched a controversial 3-0 Sky Bet League Two win over 10-man Barrow at the SO Legal Stadium.
Charlie Whitaker, who scored twice in the EFL Trophy on the same ground earlier this season, kicked off Rovers’ win with a 53rd-minute free kick.
Ironside doubled the visitors’ lead 14 minutes later after referee Andrew Miller – in only his second League Two game of the season – adjudged Billy Blacker had been fouled inside the area.
However, Barrow – without a league win since October 18 – felt any contact had been made outside the box.
Home anger was sealed four minutes from time when Niall Canavan’s challenge on Dennis was deemed worthy of another spot kick, and a straight red card.
The former Carlisle man duly beat Wyll Stanway from 12 yards to wrap up the points. The result seemed unlikely at half-time as Rovers had been second best.
Joe Murphy twice denied long-range attempts from Ben Jackson, while the keeper also saved from Jack Earing’s header.
