Accrington Stanley slipped out of the FA Cup after an 89th-minute winner by Tranmere's Ryan Lowe.

Defeat was harsh on Stanley as they had the better of their League One opponents in the first half.

Although the Reds failed to make the breakthrough, the first-round tie looked set for a replay after a second half of few chances.

But after scoring late in their last two games, Stanley were on the receiving end as ex-Bury striker Lowe pounced to end the Reds' five-match unbeaten run.

The visitors bossed possession in the early stages but Stanley then roused themselves to make a host of chances, the first as Kayode

Odejayi nodded down Nicky Hunt's diagonal ball for James Gray, who took one touch before volleying over from the edge of the box.

Kal Naismith then tested Owain Fon Williams with a 20-yard strike before fit-again left-back Lee Naylor fired narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Jim McNulty's attempted backpass then struck team-mate Tom Hateley, giving Odejayi a free run at goal, but the recalled striker was denied by Fon Williams as he tried to take it round the visiting keeper.

Peter Murphy's recent scoring touch deserted him as he spurned Stanley's best chance of the first half, blazing wide from Odejayi's lay-off.

Tranmere replied with Jason Koumas hitting two long-range efforts over, but an Odejayi flick found Naismith, who forced another save from Fon Williams before volleying the rebound over.

Chris Atkinson and Jake Kirby then went close for Tranmere as half-time approached, as did Piero Mingoia and Gray for Stanley.

Reds boss James Beattie had to bring Hunt off at half-time, with Murphy dropping back to right-back and Josh Windass coming on for his Stanley debut in centre midfield.

Atkinson and Liam Ridehalgh tested Stanley keeper Marcus Bettinelli early in the second half, before Gray's deflected shot looped narrowly over while Naismith's chip was easy for Fon Williams.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro skewed a header wide with seven minutes left, but the Rovers substitute then played in strike partner Lowe, who beat the offside trap to convert from close range.

Stanley pushed for an equaliser and Mingoia's stoppage-time shot was cleared off the Tranmere line.