Wanderers' top scorer Kevin Nolan was "gutted" by the booking which means he misses the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Villa Park
Hewas due a one-match ban, whatever the result, after picking up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's Premiership win at Blackburn.
Had Wanderers justified their quotation as red-hot favourites and beaten Tranmere, he would have missed the fourth round tie at Luton on Saturday week, but defeat means he misses the Villa Park decider.
"I'm absolutely gutted," Nolan said after Iain Hume's stunning strike in the first minute of extra-time put Wanderers out of the FA Cup at the third round stage for the second successive season.
"I was really disappointed to be booked at Blackburn because it was really harsh, but I thought I'd be suspended for the fourth round, which wouldn't have been so bad. But now I miss a big game, which is really disappointing."
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