This Battle of the Rovers between Bristol Rovers and Tranmere was the 40th game in the 2008-09 League One campaign for the Pirates. There was little for the Bristol side to play for in this match, with both promotion and relegation extremely unlikely, Tranmere however were on the brink of the playoff positions. Bristol Rovers were undefeated in the last four meetings between the clubs, a run stretching back to 1992 when the sides met at Prenton Park in Division One. This game would prove to be the end of that successful run however, thanks to a goal in each half giving Tranmere a 2–0 victory.