After all the recriminations, the weekend histrionics and the trauma of the subsequent inquest, Tranmere Rovers returned to the land of footballing sanity last night to pencil in a coveted but improbable place in the League Cup final. John Aldridge's admirable side possess too much inexperience for this to be written off as a foregone conclusion but, even if the Wembley suits are not being measured up just yet, Tranmere will commence the second leg of this semi-final having taken the initiative courtesy of a crucial away goal from Clint Hill.

If Aldridge harboured any lingering fears that his players would be threatened by an FA Cup-induced hangover after Saturday's win, his concerns were quickly dispelled in a frenetic opening 45 minutes. Dave Challinor's immensely long throw-ins can no longer be classed as a secret weapon in Tranmere's armoury, but it remains a potent threat. One sling of his arm almost manufactured an early breakthrough when Hill rose unchallenged above a static home defence to flash a header against the outside of Steve Banks's right-hand post.

That served as a warning and the next time Hill had a sight of goal his aim had improved. Once again Bolton's defenders were guilty of ball watching and Tranmere benefited from a clinical set-piece manoeuvre.

Alan Morgan's corner enticed Banks to his near post, only for Gary Jones to get there first and flick the ball over the goalkeeper with a deft header. Hill was loitering inside the six-yard area and got the decisive touch despite the close proximity of several white shirts, and even more red faces.

Bolton: Banks, Whitlow, Bergsson, O'Kane, Ritchie, Johansen (Warhurst 65), Jensen, Passi, Gardner, Hansen (Holdsworth 46), Gudjohnsen. Subs Not Used: Jaaskelainen, Taylor, Holden. Booked: Gudjohnsen, Banks.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Challinor, Hill, Roberts, Yates, Morgan, Parkinson, Mahon, Jones, Kelly, Taylor (Frail 87). Subs Not Used: Nixon, Hazell, Black, Thompson. Booked: Yates, Morgan. Goals: Hill 22.

Referee: G Barber (Tring, Herts).