Goalkeeper Jack Barrett scored the winning penalty on his Tranmere Rovers debut as the League Two club earned a shootout victory against Nottingham Forest’s Under-21 side in the Vertu Trophy.
After the game finished 2-2 in normal time – with Kalum Thompson grabbing an 88th-minute equaliser to earn Forest a point and send the tie to penalties – hosts Tranmere prevailed 9-8 in the shootout.
Barrett, making his first appearance since joining on loan from Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day, was the hero – saving two spot-kicks before scoring one himself to seal the bonus point.
Tuesday’s only other Vertu Trophy game was also decided from the spot, with Mason Bennett’s second-minute penalty – earned after Taylor Anderson handled the ball – enough to earn Harrogate a 1-0 win at Mansfield.
Tranmere’s win puts them top of their EFL Trophy group, although a number of opening ties are yet to be played across the competition.
