Clarke has been out for the past three months, following a knee injury, but featured for an hour against Tranmere's reserves without any setbacks.
Another notable name on the team-sheet was that of 18-year-old striker Gianfranco Labarthe.
The Peruvian hit-man played the full 90 minutes and looked sharp, though the youngster did tire in the latter stages.
A solitary strike from Rovers' Andy Robinson settled the tie with a goal in the 83rd minute in a scrappy encounter.
