Tranmere eased into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over League Two rivals Accrington at Prenton Park.

The home side took the lead with their first attack when Harvey Saunders latched onto an Omari Patrick pass and slotted the ball under Michael Kelly from close range in the third minute.

Rovers could have doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Connor Wood delivered a perfect cross for Saunders who could only head over from six yards.

Stanley almost drew level when Zach Awe got his head to a Dan Martin corner, but his effort was comfortably held by Joe Murphy in the Tranmere goal.

And they were made to pay for not taking that chance on the stroke of half-time as Josh Williams made it 2-0 when his long-range strike deflected past the helpless Kelly.

After the break Rovers could have increased their advantage as the impressive Patrick came close.

The game could have been put to bed when Patrick was brought down in the box in the 67th minute, only for Kelly to deny Brad Walker from the spot.

But Rovers’ place in the second-round draw was sealed with 20 minutes left when Patrick slotted home his first goal since joining the club in the summer.