Stockport County secured a memorable 5-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers to book a place in the second round of the FA Cup, despite Salford-born Liam Hogan missing out.

Eyebrows were raised prior to kick off when former Salford City defender and Stockport Captain Liam Hogan was left out of the starting eleven, and new Stockport manager David Challinor appeared to have made a mistake when Hogan’s replacement Mark Kitching saw the first goal deflect in off him after Elias Kachunga’s shot.

Flare thrown onto pitch after Bolton goal. Image: James Doyle

Ash Palmer, another player playing in Hogan’s place scored a disastrous own goal two minutes later to make it 2-0 to Bolton. Stockport however, rallied back through a Paddy Madden penalty after Ryan Rydel was felled in the box.

Liam Hogan’s omission seemed even more remarkable when Kitching calamitously headed the ball past his own keeper who appeared to have the situation under control, which left Bolton striker Amadou Bakayoko with a tap in.

Bolton celebrate after third goal. Image: James Doyle

Stockport yet again refused to be downhearted and scored just before half time through Scott Quigley’s flicked header to make it 3-2.

The second half was a largely uneventful affair with both sides not threatening each other’s goals, before Ash Palmer nodded home in a dramatic finish of normal time to send the game into extra time.

Stockport then took the lead through a composed lob from Quigley before Cranshaw wrapped up the game and sent the Stockport fans into pandemonium, with their fans charging the pitch and taking a corner flag.


The game had to be halted following these scenes and couldn’t resume until the corner flag was returned.

Despite this, nothing was going to stop the Stockport party and they will now play Rotherham at the New York Stadium in two weeks’ time.

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