We played at Belle Vue Doncaster on a friday night (very Tranmere) in March. The push for promotion was faltering after the League Cup final and we lost 2-1.
Doncaster themselves were struggling near the foot of the table and got relegated. Their young manager making his way in the game was booed all along the touchline by the home fans who clearly wanted him out. His name was Lawrie McMenemy.
I don't remember Layer Road Colchester as being particularly a dump for the league cup game down there, just very small compared with some of the big old northern grounds which often had a big covered terrace down the side not dissimilar to the Sty at that time.