The game started badly for Notts as Craig Ireland picked up a back injury after an aerial challenge with a Tranmere striker. But Ireland managed to recover after a substantial delay while he was treated.
A long-distance Baraclough shot proved to be the only threat to either goal in the first ten minutes.
GOAL 14 mins - great work by Paul Heffernan, who beat off the Tranmere defenders and picked out Danny Allsopp with a low hard cross which Allsopp flicked over the Tranmere goalkeeper at the near post.
RED CARD 15 mins - Hill for Tranmere - for arguing about Heffernan's challenge.
Tranmere responded immediately with a shot that beat Garden but drifted wide of the Notts goal.
YELLOW CARD 17 mins - Haworth for Tranmere.
Heffernan was then pulled down in the box but the referee failed to give a penalty. Baraclough was warned for arguing with a Tranmere player.
YELLOW CARD 18 mins - Price for a terrible revenge foul on Baraclough late and high.
A great end to end mover involving Cas and Caskey saw Liburd's angled shot saved by Achterberg.
The game became end to end as both teams started to put good moves together in midfield. Liburd and Caskey looked particularly lively.
Danny Allsopp had another penalty appeal turned down on 23 minutes but it looked like a blatant dive.
YELLOW CARD 24 mins - Barlow of Tranmere for bringing down Richard Liburd.
Tranmere looked dangerous as the lively Barlow got on the end of Price's cross but Stuart Garden rescued the Magpies with a great save.
Allsopp played a great ball to Liburd who got to the byline and chose to shoot from an angle. The rebound fell to Cas who whacked the ball over the bar.