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Earnie returns tomorrow

Gary Croft's second-half strike earned Cardiff their 11th away victory this season and ensured a home second leg in the play-off semi-finals. The Welsh side were grateful to goalkeeper Neil Alexander, who made a number of fine saves to keep his team in the game.

Stuart Barlow hit a post for Tranmere and then headed onto the crossbar three minutes before half-time, before his follow-up effort was blocked on the line by Scott Young.

It appeared Young, already booked, had used his hands but the referee thought otherwise.

Croft slid home the winner 13 minutes from time after a neat pass from outstanding skipper Graham Kavanagh.

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Tranmere:

Murphy, Yates, Hinds, Sharps, Roberts, Thornton, Navarro, Mellon, Koumas, Haworth, Barlow. Subs: Parkinson, Nixon, Harrison, Henry, Price.

Cardiff:

Alexander, Weston, Young, Prior, Croft, Boland, Kavanagh, Bonner, Fortune-West, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs: Maxwell, Brayson, Bowen, Bywater, Collins.

Referee: R Pearson (Peterlee)

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