Bristol Rovers fans are angry that they will be charged more than three times as much as home supporters to watch next Sunday's game at Tranmere Rovers.

The Merseyside club have slashed prices for the game to just £5.

But the offer applies to home fans only and adult prices for away fans remain at £17.50. Over-65s and those in the 17-23 age-group are being charged £9.50 and under-16s £5.

Though clearly discriminatory, Tranmere are allowed to operate the controversial pricing structure under a Football League rule which says its clubs may run a "local promotion" for ticket prices for up to four games a season, when they can charge different prices for home fans.

But the move has angered Rovers fan groups, who expect some away supporters to try and watch the game from home areas at Prenton Park.

Gary Marks, chairman of the Gas Independent Fans Trust, said: "When launching the offer, Tranmere said that the admission price was a way of making the game as accessible as possible for all.

"But that's clearly not the case if away supporters – who also have to contend with significant travel costs – are being charged nearly four times the price that home supporters are paying to watch the game.

"They have also said that it's a tough economic time for their club and we are sympathetic to that.

"But it's also a tough economic time for our supporters, who are planning to make the long trip.

"There should be parity for everyone – the credit crunch doesn't only apply to Merseyside."

Rovers Supporters Club chairman Jim Chappell said: "It's obviously unfair – although if that's what the rule says then there's not a lot we can do.

"But it's a daft rule and it's asking for trouble because it could lead to problems if our supporters go into home areas. There are bound to be a shedload of complaints from our fans about it because the price difference for the two sets of supporters is so great. We will be taking the matter up."

Rovers' director of finance Toni Watola said: "While we are disappointed that our fans have not been included in this offer, Tranmere have not broken any rules and are well within their rights to offer this promotion.

"The rules were changed last summer at a meeting of the Football League chairmen, so there is nothing that can be done.

"We hope that our fans will stick to the away end of the ground and we would encourage them to stay away from the home areas and avoid confrontation."

Tranmere's chief executive Mick Horton said: "We have designated the Bristol Rovers fixture as a local promotion match as permitted by The Football League in their regulations, which allow four such matches a season.

"The Football League encourages these local promotions and we are using this game to help build the club's core support by attracting new supporters as part of The Football League Fans of the Future campaign, and also to thank our loyal supporters for their fantastic support over the season.

"The same opportunity is available to all clubs in The Football League, including Bristol Rovers, and our supporters have been in a similar situation when they have travelled to other clubs."

The fixture has been rescheduled for Sunday because Merseyside Police did not want it clashing with Saturday's Grand National.