LIAM Dickinson’s 17th goal of the season earned County a vital win over third placed Darlington to boost their push for automatic promotion from League Two.

It hadn’t started well for County when striker Ryan Lowe, making his Stockport debut on loan from Crewe, lasted only eight minutes before a shoulder injury ended his afternoon.

Dickinson had gone close twice before opening the scoring, first firing wide after a break from the half way line before seeing his shot spilled by Darlington keeper David Stockdale, who then blocked Anthony Pilkington’s follow up.

In the 37th minute substitute Tommy Rowe, on for Lowe, took advantage of a slip in the visitors’ defence to power through and shoot against the post. The ball bounced back to Dickinson who fired home and celebrated his goal by racing to the bench and pulling down assistant manager Peter Ward’s shorts.

Stockport keeper John Ruddy hadn’t had a save to make until the 53rd minute when he produced a brilliant bit of acrobatics to claw back Tommy Wright’s header which appeared to be looping over him.

Dickinson was twice denied a second goal by the legs of Stockdale.

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