Carlisle United 1 Tranmere Rovers 2: Omari Patrick scored twice on his Brunton Park return to inflict another defeat on Paul Simpson's Blues.

The former United attacker scored either side of an Archie Davies goal in the first half to give Tranmere the points.

It meant a third defeat from four league games for the Cumbrians as scrutiny remained on early-season performances under Simpson, who was booed by some fans after the game.

United once again were uninspired in attack despite Simpson handing new signing Jordan Jones his debut in front of an 8,003 crowd.

His Blues bow was overshadowed by Patrick, who got the better of his former club with two well-taken goals.

He put Tranmere ahead after just five minutes, forcing a low shot through a cluster of players and in off the post.

Davies quickly levelled with his first United goal but Patrick's next goal on 37 minutes proved the winner as he cut in from the right to curl home.

Carlisle failed to summon attacking inspiration in the second half and the full-time whistle was greeted by boos from some in the ground - with a number of fans then booing Simpson as he walked off the pitch after applauding the Blues support, United's boss looking visibly unhappy as he shook his head when walking down the tunnel.

Archie Davies shot United level in the seventh minute after Patrick's openerArchie Davies shot United level in the seventh minute after Patrick's opener (Image: Ben Holmes)

Simpson handed Jones an immediate debut, the new signing going straight into the XI at Brunton Park in an attacking midfield role.

He was joined in the side by Terell Thomas, who returned from injury, as Sam Lavelle and Ben Barclay dropped to the bench.

There was a place among the subs for teenage youth team forward Freddie O'Donoghue in a competitive game for the first time, while Cameron Harper and Dylan McGeouch, although not in the matchday squad, took part in the warm-up as they move closer to a return.

Tranmere, meanwhile, included ex-Blues man Patrick from the start while fellow former United forward Kristian Dennis was on the bench, their deadline-day midfield signing Saidou Khan not involved.

The visitors' two ex-United men got a warm reception from home supporters after the warm-ups, with things then getting under way under glorious sunshine at Brunton Park.

Carlisle's Dan Adu-Adjei looked to make an immediate impact as he outpaced Tom Davies to set up a Blues attack.

But Tranmere survived - and, by the five-minute mark, were in front through Patrick.

Carlisle failed to close down a Tranmere attack down the left and, after Ben Williams intercepted, the visitors regained the ball and eventually fed Patrick, who fired it low through a cluster of players and in off the left-hand post.

There was a muted celebration from the former United favourite back on his former ground.

But Carlisle were behind for less than two minutes as they struck back.

And it was Davies getting them on terms, the wing-back showing good anticipation and a firm finish when arriving from the right onto a cross that the visitors struggled to deal with.

The instant reply put United back onto the front foot, with Williams meeting a cross in the Tranmere box to test keeper Luke McGee with a header, Davies putting the home defence on the back foot and Williams again trying his luck, rifling over the bar from the edge of the box.

That came after a Blues corner which saw Aaron Hayden and Connor Jennings both hurt after an aerial challenge, the United defender needing his head bandaged and both players requiring a change of shirt.

Jones, in the number ten position, almost forced another chance for United before two defensive blocks in the Blues area were needed after Tranmere got in to the left.

Josh Vela and Thomas then tried their luck from outside the box but Carlisle's attacking grew less enterprising and more predictable, with too much long play from the back.

Jordan Jones couldn't inspire United on his debutJordan Jones couldn't inspire United on his debut (Image: Ben Holmes)

And Tranmere then struck again - as Patrick, following a short corner, drifted in from the right and had room to curl a shot past the diving Lewis.

Jones shot wide in response for United but their game needed clear improvement as the second half came.

Mellish, early in the second half, made a break but failed to find Adu-Adjei in the middle, while Blues keeper Lewis caused consternation among home fans with an unconvincing punch as Tranmere's free-kick found the keeper unchallenged.

Simpson made a change on the hour mark, Dominic Sadi replacing Vela to make his home debut, while Tranmere boss Adkins sent on Harvey Saunders for Davison.

Another change was forced on United on 66 minutes when Hayden went down again in the Blues box and, after treatment, came off to be replaced by Barclay.

But chances remained elusive, Jon Mellish now in midfield and Carlisle having much of the play without showing much in the way of creativity.

Barclay ran onto a Sadi cross with 15 minutes to go but was tracked by a defender, who blocked his header, while other deliveries from Jones were not on the mark.

Jones and Williams were then replaced by Luke Armstrong and Jack Ellis as United continued to look for a way back, while Patrick almost opened Carlisle up again when carrying the ball from deep in his own half to the edge of the Blues box, Tranmere unable to put the final moves together.

A Mellish cross dipped over the crossbar with six minutes of the 90 remaining, United still short of any real creativity, 

Armstrong headed a Davies cross over the bar and a final long throw from Barclay was defended by Tranmere as a disgruntled Brunton Park saw another defeat and United fell to 20th in League Two.

United: Lewis, Hayden (Barclay 66), Thomas, Mellish, A Davies, Williams (Ellis 78), Neal, Vela (Sadi 60), Jones (Armstrong 78), Wyke, Adu-Adjei. Not used: Breeze, Lavelle, O’Donoghue.

Goals: A Davies 7.

Booked: Jones, Ellis.

Tranmere: McGee, Norman, T Davies, Turnbull, Wood, O’Connor, Bradshaw, Merrie, Jennings, Patrick, Davison (Saunders 60). Not used: Murphy, Dennis, Morris, Hendry, Solomon, Williams.

Goals: Patrick 5, 37.

Ref: Simon Mather.

Crowd: 8,003 (723 Tranmere fans).