STOCKPORT COUNTY 1, NOTTS COUNTY 2
A last-minute deflected goal from substitute Kyle Wootton dumped Stockport County out of The Buildbase FA Trophy.
It came five days after the Hatters were eliminated from the Emirates FA Cup by Premier League Ham after a heroic display in the rain at Edgeley Park.
And while there was disappointment following the elimination from two cup competitions in successive matches, there were no tears.
It leaves Jim Gannon’s side free of distractions as the main goal is regaining EFL status that was lost in 2011.
With a congested fixture list ahead, it was clear where Gannon’s priorities were he made seven changes from the side that started the Emirates FA Cup tie against West Ham five days earlier.
Lois Maynard, Connor Jennings, Ryan Croasdale and Jordan Williams were the only players to retain their places as he saw it an ideal opportunity to play his squad men.
Notts County handed a debut to wide left player Calvin Miller, who was playing full back in his first appearance since his loan move from Harrogate Town at the start of the week.
The much-changed line up almost certainly contributed to a scrappy and disjointed opening from the Hatters.
Apart from an early drive by Williams straight at Luke Pilling, both goalkeepers were largely redundant apart from kicking duties.
It needed something special to make a breakthrough and it came from the visitors in the 33rd minute.
A jinking run from Ruben Rodrigues into the box ended with the ball ricocheting to Jimmy Knowles, who eluded the offside trap, slotted home a low shot from eight yards.
It was the third goal of the season for the 19-year-old who is on loan from Notts County.
It jolted County to life, and they were level within five minutes.
Macauley Southam-Hales’ corner from the left was flicked on by Adam Thomas at the near post and Ash Palmer scrambled home the ball from almost on the line at the far post, his third goal of the season.
It was a goal the players dedicated to 15-year-old fan Khia Whitehead who was seriously hit after a collision with a police car as Richie Bennett displayed a message on his vest.
County had chances to be ahead by the break as Croasdale and Connor Jennings were both denied by Pilling while Thomas’ effort was narrowly off target,
The second half lacked a spark and with 20 minutes left County manager Gannon withdrew the Jennings brothers who were replaced by Sam Minihan and Mark Kitching,
County came within inches of taking the lead in the 71st minute when Bennett closed down Pilling’s clearance and the ball ran free to Thomas whose effort struck the upright.
Alex Reid took over from Southam-Hales and within one minute almost put County ahead with a shot from Bennett’s cross which was well kept out by Pilling.
And with five minutes left, Bennett missed a glorious chance of glory shooting wide from six yards after an excellent cross by Williams,
How County were made to pay for wasteful finishing as the visitors snatched victory in the 89th minute.
Wootton, 24, the former Scunthorpe United player, saw a drive from 25 yards take a massive deflection which wrong-footed home goalkeeper Josh Barnes.
And it might have been a heavier loss as in stoppage time, with County committed to attack in pursuit of an equaliser, were caught on the break.
Matty Wolfe charged clear on the right but failed to hit the target, though it was a miss that did not matter.