Stockport 1 Brighton 1

January 26, 2010

Stockport County were cruelly denied only their second home win of the season after Brighton snatched an undeserved equaliser in the last minute at Edgeley Park.

Keeper Owain fon Williams lost sight of Andrew Crofts speculative 20-yard drive and it bounced tamely over his outstretched arms and nestled in the bottom corner.

The Hatters had taken the lead just before the hour mark when young winger Danny Pilkington scored a stunning goal from the edge of the box to cap his man-of-the-match display, but with the finish line in sight, County couldn't hang on.

The Hatters dominated a goalless first half and almost went in front on 12 minutes when Pilkington forced Dutch keeper Michel Kuipers into a smart save.

Four minutes before the break, the Hatters carved open the Seagulls defence again as Pilkington combined with David Perkins to tee up Ritchie Partridge, but his low shot flashed just wide of the far post.

Greg Tansey came on at half-time to replace the injured Johnny Mullins and he went close on 52 minutes, but Kuipers again kept the Hatters at bay.

Brighton's chances were few and far between, but manager Gus Poyet was the most relieved man in Edgeley Park as Crofts popped up in the dying seconds to deny County their first win in 14 games.

COUNTY (4-3-3): fon Williams 5; Mullins 7 (Tansey 7) Raynes 7 Swailes 7 Rose 7; Vincent 6 Turnbull 7 Perkins 7; Partridge 7 Johnson 6 (Griffin 6) Pilkington 8

Subs: Gerrard Tansey Halls Edwards Rowe Barnes Griffin

What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.

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NuttyGirl, North Wales (27/01/2010 at 02:29)

Lets hope Johnny Mullins' knee injury isnt too serious and he can play on Saturday

John (27/01/2010 at 07:16)

"Danny Pilkington scored a stunning goal from the edge of the box to cap his man-of-the-match display"

Anyone who thought Pilkington was man of the match last night either wasn't there or doesn't understand football. Take a bow David Perkins, who gave the best performance in a County shirt I've seen in a long long time, even allowing for some of the wonderful shifts that Carl Baker has put in this season. He was everywhere and at times it seemed as though he was playing Brighton on his own. Don't get me wrong, Pilkington did well and looked a different player to the one against Swindon last week. His goal was a cracker. Credit to Ablett for picking the lad up and giving him the confidence to perform like that. There were other good performances, notably Danny Swailes, who was like a rock at the back. No point commenting on the keeper as it's all been said before this season. John, Heaton Mersey

dave moran, Jersey (27/01/2010 at 16:15)

While the improvement is certainly there and its great to see the team at least playing better its as well to resign yourself now to relegation come what may, which in my book is the best of two evils, the other being wound up. We will do well to amass 40 points in total looking at the remaining fixture list. 50 points saw us survive last season by 1 point so the prospect is still bleak. We would have to put together the greatest run of results in the clubs history and I don't see that happening unless those around us go on the same loosing run as we've just been on. That's highly unlikely to happen. Best to just support the team AND the manager and go down with some dignity. That's the reality check over..... now cumon you blues for Saturday.

Southampton 0 County 1 yer in my dreams.

BRINKSWAY BOY

bluephil, Stoke-on-Trent (27/01/2010 at 19:02)

Not a lot to add to the comments of John and Brinksway Boy which are spot on. It would appear that we now at least have a team capable of competing with the bottom third of the division. I think a 40 point target is about right. We are going down but if this team can continue to display the same level of commitment and professionalism as last night, it could provide a good basis for next season ..................... always assuming we avoid the disasterous consequences of being in administration for a second season running (something I can't see happening because if no-one credible has come in for us to date, it probably isn't going to happen). I felt sorry for Johnson, he ran all night but how do you expect a guy of his size to win high balls pumped up to him? Food and drink to the defenders. Still I guess with Ibehre suspended a 4-5-1 formation was inevitable. On a lighter note, has anyone else been puzzled by the dubious question "who is the longest in the showers?" that appears in the 20 questions feature in the match day programme?!

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