Lions protect record with Abbey victory

saw his shot on target well saved by the Hulton keeper.

But the Town striker wouldn’t have long to wait for his next opportunity in the half.

As first half stoppage time arrived Stockport were awarded a penalty after Halfacre was taken down inside the box. The Lions top scorer stepped up and slotted his spot kick past Birkinshaw to double their lead at the break.

The second half kicked off and the hosts were in the mood for killing the game off. First Dwyer, and then George Blackwell both saw shots saved, before the former saw a top-corner effort tipped over the bar by Birkinshaw.

Shortly after Dwyer had seen another shot saved, the Lions saw Devlin receive a yellow card for kicking the ball away.

However within a minute of his first yellow, Devlin saw a second and then red for a handball inside the box as the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors. Ball stepped up for Abbey Hulton and sent Dylan Forth the wrong way to get his side back into the game.

There were late efforts for Town as Blackwell and Dwyer came close to a third for Wild’s men, but as the game entered it’s six minutes of added time the Lions were reduced to nine men as Dwyer saw red for an off the ball incident.

This saw Hulton press all they could forward, leaving themselves exposed at the back, and quick thinking from substitute Jamie Hinchliffe saw a through ball to Bane and he sealed the victory as the game drew to a close.

Stockport Town will now have an extended rest period in their league campaign as they next face an away trip to Bacup Borough on Saturday 16th, kick-off 3pm.