STRUGGLING Stockport County's fortunes as a non-League club hit a new low as they crashed out of the FA Trophy in a 2-1 first-round replay defeat at Stalybridge Celtic.
Sean McConville got the ailing Hatters off to a flyer when he slotted them in front after just 11 minutes.
But Greg Wilkinson stunned County by blasting in a 58th-minute equaliser before Connor Jennings looped in a last-gasp winner to add to Edgeley Park boss Jim Gannon's headaches and book Celtic a second-round trip to Guiseley on January 14.
The Hatters made a bright start and were twice close to scoring in the opening five minutes, Tom Elliott's header forcing a smart save from Bridge keeper Jan Budtz and McConville skipping past two defenders before firing just past a post.
McConville wasn't to be denied, however, and he rewarded County's early dominance by giving them an 11th-minute lead when he latched on to Danny Rowe's perfectly weighted pass to round off a swift counter attack with a neat finish.
Stalybridge recovered from the shock of falling behind to slowly force their way into the contest and Dan O'Donnell did well to block a Lloyd Ellams shot as the hosts sought to get back on terms.
Danny Rowe similarly did well to deny Stalybridge's England C international striker Jennings, who then brought Matt Glennon into the action for the first time on the half-hour mark before shooting narrowly wide.
Ellams was also off-target as Bridge ended the first-half in the ascendancy, but County, kicking up the notorious Bower Fold slope after the break, almost doubled their lead within seconds of the re-start when Chris Blackburn saw his 25-yard snapshot well saved by Budzt.
County came even closer to making it 2-0 six minutes later, Budtz parrying McConville's initial shot before Elliott's follow-up effort was blocked for a corner.
McConville and Rowe each had shots saved in quick succession as Stockport continued to turn the screw, only for the visitors to then be hit with a sucker punch in the 59th minute as Greg Wilkinson picked the ball up on the right and unleashed a piledriver past Glennon to equalise against the run of play.
Stalybridge were suddenly lifted and only a fingertip stop by Glennon prevented Ellams from putting the Celts in front. Hobson then headed over from the resulting corner.
With extra-time looming, Jennings settled a pulsating contest by diverting a Hobson shot over Glennon to send County spinning out.
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Not surprising and I've a nasty feeling it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. Well done to Staly, they seem to be a well run club on the up.
Haha what excuses are all the usual posters going to make now!! County are finished!!
Roll on January when Jim can bring in his own players, meanwhile, I think he should get the team in for some extra training, it should go something like this....... "OK boys,please sit down, i've something to say to you that might come in very handy next year, listen very carefully and learn these words...Do you want fries with your order ?....and when you've mastered that, try....Would that be a large or regular Coke"
Stockport must have put their youth team out, no way would Stalybridge have won if they had put out a full strength team.
No excuses needed, we know we are playing at the level we deserve to be. One more result either way wouldn't change that, that's a long term job.
Good cup tie really, we could have won it, which is positive in itself, but while ever they were still in it then they had a fighting chance and got the break at the death.
We 're not a good team yet but I think we're playing better. That first good result can't come too soon but I feel it is coming and with that will come some belief. Belief in the players, in themselves, in the manager and the systems Jimbo is trying to put in place. Some belief in the fans too, it's only human nature to doubt when the results are not there yet.
Hib ho County :)
Has Titles got a brain that functions? sorry that wasnt a question as we all know the answer. I love stockport and used to also follow united before the prawn sandwhiches and lack of atmosphere, now that team is not good enough and Fergie or some one else will have to rebuild. Jim will do the same at Stockport no matter what the divide. Try swapping a good gate at Edgeley park against Old Trafford and you will see real passion,die hard support and good pies, so enjoy what you had and grab the last prawn sandwhich before it goes