Tranmere Rovers are heading back to Wembley for the fourth time in five seasons, after humbling League One Oxford United 2-0 in the Papa John’s Trophy semi-final.

Keith Hill’s side headed into the match as underdogs, but the League Two side made a mockery of the divisional disparity and in doing so fired a reminder of where the Birkenhead club’s rightful place should be in the English Football League.

In-form Kaiyne Woolery gave Rovers the lead in the 35th minute, with a powerful strike, but they needed some well-earned luck to keep United’s Matt Taylor off the scoresheet.

When Kieron Morris fouled Rob Atkinson in the Tranmere box it looked like the hosts would draw level, but Taylor fluffed his lines from the spot, blazing over the bar.

The 30-year-old striker hit the woodwork twice before he was made to pay for his profligacy in front of goal.

When a 66th minute Danny Lloyd freekick drop to Kieron Morris, the left-footed midfielder fired home from 15 yards and double the Whites’ advantage.

From hereon, Rovers dug deep and kept their supposedly superior hosts at bay. 

In the end they were able to hang on and secure their passage to what will be Tranmere’s fourth trip to Wembley in the last five years.

The final will take place on Sunday, March 14, where Rovers will face the winner of Sunderland v Lincoln City, who face each other tomorrow.

Tranmere boss Hill said: "We were excellent, superb. You've got to give the lads credit, the way that they work, the way that they fight is brilliant. We could lose that football match but still be proud of the way they represented Tranmere Rovers.

"I'm really pleased that the competition is still alive, it's a major trophy for League One and League Two sides - to get to Wembley, in the early stages of the competition, it's a distant dream, but we've done it. 

"Some of the victories we've had to get to Wembley - Manchester City, Peterborough, Leicester, now Oxford, who are an excellent, very attractive proposition to get promotion from League One.

"But we were excellent today. We needed the second goal - in the second half when they were bringing it on strong we rode our luck a little bit like with the penalty but we saw it out well after the second goal."