Coca Cola League 1

COUNTY conceded two goals in the final six minutes of an entertaining game to hand newly-promoted Huddersfield Town a surprise win at a sun-drenched Edgeley Park.

The Hatters controlled the opening 45 minutes but reached the break a goal down thanks to Tony Carrs brilliant free-kick.

However, second half strikes from Luke Beckett and Warren Feeney appeared to have handed County a deserved win - but the Terriers got their Coca-Cola league one campaign off to the perfect start through late goals from Andy Booth and Pawel Abbot.

Sammy McIlroy's new-look side took to the pitch with only two survivors - Rickie Lambert and Luke Beckett - from last season's opening game, while Andy Welsh, John Hardiker and Jim Goodwin could only make the bench.

And it was one of McIlroy's new signings, Feeney, who almost opened the scoring after two minutes but his fierce angled drive was turned away by visiting keeper Ian Gray.

With the Yorkshiremen temporarily unable to get out of their own half, Feeney again tested Gray - this time with a header - but County were denied the goal their enterprise deserved.

As the half wore on, Lambert fired in a couple of trademark free-kicks either side of a Booth header which thumped against the Hatters crossbar as Huddersfield belatedly got themselves into the game.

A superb run past the three County defenders by Junior Mendes had the alarm bells ringing, but Ashley Williams was on hand to clear the danger.

However, the hero quickly became the villain when Williams fouled Booth 35 yards out six minutes later. And despite the distance, Carrs drilled the ball past the hapless Neil Cutler much to the delight of the many visiting supporters.

After the break County piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser which duly arrived shortly before the hour mark.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's superb cross from the right was met by the head of Beckett who coolly guided the ball into the Terriers net in front of a delirious Cheadle End.

Five minutes later County were almost two goals to the good but Lambert's free-kick bounced to safety after striking the woodwork.

But the County faithful were out of their seats again after 67 minutes when Derek Geary's cut back from the by-line was met by Feeney who rose high to head the ball past Gray.

With County in complete control, Terriers manager Peter Jackson replaced his captain, Efe Sodje, with Pawel Abbot - and 12 minutes later the visitors were level after Andy Booth nodded in Chris Brandon's cross.

And despite Huddersfield being forced to reshuffle their pack further when keeper Gray was replaced Phil Senior following a collision with Beckett, it was the visitors who ended the game stronger.

Booth wasted a glorious opportunity to win the game in the 89th minute - blasting his shot over the bar - but four minutes later had a hand in the winner as he played in Abbot who calmly stroked the ball under the advancing Cutler to spark wild celebrations in the Railway End.

STOCKPORT COUNTY: Cutler, Geary, Adams, Williams, Mair, Cartwright, Lambert, Robertson, Bridge-Wilkinson (Jackman, 79), Feeney (Barlow, 89), Beckett. Subs not used: Hardiker, Welsh, Goodwin. Booked: Adams. Star Man: Warren Feeney.

HUDDERSFIELD: Gray (Senior 83), Houldsworth, Yates, Carrs, Mendes, Schofield (Brandon 71), Edwards, Sodje (Abbot 75), Mirfin, Worthington, Booth. Subs not used: Fowler, Clarke. Booked: None.

Attendance: 7,473.

Referee: Trevor Parkes.

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