Stockport County dramatically seized the initiative in their League One play-off semi-final thanks to a bizarre last-minute goal, securing a 1-0 victory at Stevenage. Ben Osborn was the hero, poking home the winner after Benony Andresson stumbled during a one-on-one, leaving Stevenage's defence unable to clear the danger.
A Cagey Affair
The semi-final had been a tightly contested encounter, seemingly heading for a goalless draw as neither side managed to assert dominance. Stevenage created the best chances in the first half; Jordan Roberts saw his hooked volley tipped over by Corey Addai, and from the resulting corner, Carl Piergianni headed wide.
Second-Half Momentum Shift
Stockport wrestled momentum after the hour mark. Adama Sidibeh twice fired efforts wide, and an Oliver Norwood free-kick flicked off the wall onto the roof of the net. Filip Marschall also saved an Odin Bailey free-kick, but Osborn's late intervention proved decisive.
Stevenage had their own opportunities, none better than when Dan Kemp broke through. However, like Andresson would later, he stumbled over his own feet, but this time there was no one to capitalise.
Manager Reactions
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Stockport boss Dave Challinor said: "It's one of the ugliest goals the play-offs has ever seen, but valuable as it puts us ahead in the tie. The jeopardy in these games is enormous. Stevenage are very good at making the game look like they want it to; they ask you questions. We've got to be a bigger threat, but we've got a goal which puts us in a decent position. The tie is certainly nowhere near over."
Stevenage boss Alex Revell was frustrated with the late goal but insisted his side remain in the fight. He told Sky Sports: "Of course it's frustrating to lose to a goal like that; we could have dealt with the situation a lot better. It's half-time, no matter what we would have had to go up to Stockport and try and win the game, it doesn't really change, even though they got the goal. The players want to win, they definitely don't want to concede a goal like that; it's up to us to pick them up and get them ready for Wednesday. The first half was really positive and we had a couple of moments in the second half when we could have got a shot away. Chances were few and far between today."
Looking Ahead
County will now take a one-goal lead into the second leg, with the tie moving to Edgeley Park where a place in the League One Play-off Final is at stake. Meanwhile, Bolton host Bradford in the first leg of their semi-final tonight at 8pm.
