Bristol City made it three wins out of three at Ashton Gate with goals from Brian Tinnion and Scott Murray.
Tinnion, starting his first game of the season after a knee operation, broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a well-struck penalty and Murray wrapped up the points four minutes later.
City hero Tinnion celebrated his return to Danny Wilson's side by finally ending Tranmere's stubborn resistance.
The veteran midfielder missed the start of the season following a summer knee operation but showed his cool by calmly slotting in a 70th minute penalty.
Walsall referee Mark Warren's decision incensed the Tranmere players as Murray's cross first hit Rover's defender Kevin Gray and then bounced up to hit Graham Allen's hand.
The decision looked harsh but Warren had no hesitation in pointing to the spot much to the anger of Allen who was subsequently booked for dissent.
But Tinnion kept his cool throughout to put City on course for their third successive home victory in an unbeaten start at Ashton Gate.
Four minutes later Murray wrapped up the victory with an unstoppable shot after Rover's keeper John Achterberg after Robin Hulbert's corner was only half cleared.
Tinnion announced his return to the team for his first start of the season with a superb free-kick in the 24th minute.
A foul on striker Lee Peacock 25 yards out and directly in front of goal presented Tinnion with a great chance and he stepped up to whip a shot against the upright with Achterberg beaten.
It was the closest either side came to scoring in a disappointing first half that lacked any urgency.
City's Mickey Bell had an early free-kick saved by Achterberg and then in the eighth minute Craig Woodman saw his long-range shot drift wide.
City's best chance in open play came on half time when Murray raced on to Tinnion's chip and volleyed straight at Achterberg.
In contrast, Rover's rarely threatened and it wasn't until the opening minute of the second half that on-loan Nottingham Forrest midfielder Gary Jones went close with a header just over the bar