Stockport County 3-2 Marine

A brave, battling display wasn't quite enough to see ten-man Marine past National North opposition for the second time in a week, as two late Stockport County goals settled this Buildbase FA Trophy First Round Proper tie.

Manager Sean Hessey named the same starting eleven which had overcome Darlington 1883 in midweek, whilst naming a relatively inexperienced bench due to injury, suspension and ineligibility.

On a decent playing surface at the all-seater Edgeley Park stadium the game began with County on the front foot in the early exchanges. A ball played into Marsden's feet 25 yards out saw the midfielder turn sharply and fire a shot over the crossbar into the vacant seating behind Calvin Hare's goal.

A clever back-heel by ex-Tranmere striker Odejayi then found Marsden but his cross was well defended firstly by Lewis Field with James Foley completing the clearance.

The Mariners then pressed forward and scored with their first attack of note on 7 minutes. James Short's long-throw-in from the left was half-cleared by the Stockport defence with Warren Bellew flicking a header forward to find Billy Smart surging into the County box only to be brought down by Stopforth. Skipper Danny Mitchley stepped up to blast home the resultant spot-kick past custodian Hinchliffe and subdue the Cheadle Enders.

The influential Marsden was involved in neat build-up play for the Hatters following the restart as he played a one-two before being felled by MJ Monaghan who became the first, but certainly not the last, player to receive a caution from referee Copeland during the afternoon. Marsden's subsequent free-kick cleared both defensive wall and crossbar by a yard or two.

Monaghan then pinched possession in midfield and prodded forward to find Mitchley whose instant shot on the turn flew well wide of target.

At the other end a throw-in from the Stockport left was allowed to bounce into the Marine area and Marsden did well to hold off Josh Brizell but his shot was smartly parried by Hare to maintain the Mariners early advantage.

The home fans began to make themselves heard in what was becoming a somewhat fractious affair, referee Copeland adding to the tense atmosphere with a series of rather puzzling decisions.

Midway through the half County midfielder Montrose became the next into Mr Copeland's notebook for simulation as Field challenged ten yards inside the Marine half.

The Mariners continued to preserve their advantage despite a spell of pressure from the home side as Minihan's low centre was flicked away from Marsden in the nick of time.

Hare's goal-kick then reached Mitchley whose volley from 25 yards bounced awkwardly in front of Hinchliffe, the ex-Fylde stopper pushing Mitchley's effort around the post with the subsequent corner being cleared by the homesters.

The Crosby side were certainly proving more than a match for their National North opponents and Monaghan showed his skill to turn left-back Duxbury before cutting the ball to the edge of the box for the onrushing Smart whose shot was blocked by a defender. The rebound again fell to Smart but this time his shot struck the unfortunate Obi Anoruo who was was caught in an offside position.

County pressed once more and Felix's low ball in from the right reached Minihan, but the right-back's first-time shot was directed straight at Hare who held securely.

Stockport then had claims for a penalty turned down as ex-Fylde winger Lloyd went to ground in the box, but the Hatters found their equaliser on 42 minutes. A throw-in taken by Marsden on the left was played back to him and his teasing cross to the far post saw Odejayi steal a march on the Marine rearguard, the big striker powering a header past Hare from inside the six-yard box to level matters.

As the half entered added time and with parity arguably reflecting the balance of play in the opening period, the Mariners refused to settle for stalemate and grabbed their second of the afternoon. Field's ball forward was flicked on by Monaghan and Stockport's attempt to catch Mitchley offside failed dismally, the striker being correctly adjudged onside as the ball was played. Hinchliffe initially looked to race from his goal to clear but had second thoughts, and Mitchley advanced into the County box before calmly placing his finish low to the 'keeper's left to give the Yellows a valuable half-time lead.

A cautious beginning to the second half was almost punctuated on 51 minutes as a deep cross from the County left almost reached Marsden with a yellow-shirted defender once more nipping in to half-clear. The ball fell to Minihan on the edge of the box whose well-struck shot flew narrowly over Hare's crossbar.

The Hatters again came close moments later as Stopforth wriggled into the box only to see his low shot kicked away by the sprawling Hare. The Mariners broke quickly through Monaghan who tried to find Brizell bursting toward the Stockport area but the centre-back's efforts proved in vain as he was penalised for a push on the last defender.

At the other end the increasingly influential Lloyd, having switched wings, was found by Odejayi. Stockport's leading scorer stepped inside Short's challenge but blazed his shot well wide of target.

The Hatters then forced a corner and Marsden's inswinging delivery from the left saw Clarke glance a header wide of goal as the home fans grew more frustrated.

However perhaps the pivotal moment of the tie came just after the hour mark as Brizell lunged for a ball 15 yards inside his own half, and despite appearing to play the ball Brizell's challenge was deemed dangerous and worthy of a straight red card from referee Copeland.

The dismissal left the Mariners facing a struggle to hold on to their lead for the final third of the contest but the ten men, urged on by the vociferous travelling hordes in the South Stand, battled valiantly and continued to repel County's efforts.

Lloyd continued to look the most likely party-pooper and his left-footed strike from outside the box with 20 minutes remaining was always rising but only cleared the angle of post and bar by a yard or so.

Stockport made a double change as they sought to stretch a visibly tiring Marine side, but Lloyd was denied once more as he again cut onto his left-foot before seeing his goalbound shot blocked at close quarters by Bellew.

County ramped up the pressure ten minutes from time and twice came close to an equalising goal. Firstly substitute Amis glanced a header wide of Hare's left-hand upright, before the same player was denied as Hare palmed the ball behind following Stopforth's cross.

With five minutes left to play the Mariners' resistance was finally ended as young substitute Denzel Williams was deemed to have handled in his own 'd', the Blackpool loanee receiving a caution for his troubles. Lloyd stepped up to send a low left-footed free-kick past the Marine wall and beyond the despairing dive of Hare to the delight of the home fans.

County scented blood and in the 87th minute Lloyd skipped down the left flank and into the area, only to be felled by a tired and outstretched Marine limb. Lloyd himself stepped up to fire his spot-kick down the middle past the diving Hare, much to the tangible relief of those supporting the men in blue and white.

As the game entered added time the Mariners mustered one final flurry as a ball forward was cushioned by Mitchley for substitute Zac Thompson to try his luck from fully 30 yards, but the ball sailed well wide of goal.

Time elapsed to end an enthralling cup-tie and with it Marine's FA Trophy run, but those in Yellow can certainly hold their heads high in defeat having given Stockport an almighty scare in a game in which the home side only looked likely winners during the dying embers.

Marine now turn their attentions to the Integro League Cup and begin their defence of that trophy with a visit to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday evening. Kick off at Irongate is at 7:45pm.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Lewis Field, James Short, Josh Brizell, James Foley (Zac Thompson 68), Adam Hughes, Michael Monaghan, Billy Smart, Danny Mitchley (c), Obi Anoruo (Denzel Williams 62), Warren Bellew (Jamie Horgan 84).

Unused subs: Caleb Richards, Dean Porter. Cautions: Monaghan, Mitchley, Foley, Hare, Williams, Smart, Field. Sent Off: Brizell.

Stockport County: Ben Hinchliffe, Sam Minihan, Scott Duxbury, Lewis Montrose, Michael Clarke (c), Chris Smalley, Kaine Felix (Jimmy Ball 71), Gary Stopforth, Kayode Odejayi (Josh Amis 71), John Marsden (Courtney Meppen-Walters 90), Danny Lloyd.

Unused subs: Mark Ross, Ian Ormson. Cautions: Montrose, Ball.

Goals: Marine; Mitchley (pen 7, 45)
Stockport County; Odejayi (42), Lloyd (85, pen 87)

Referee: Mr Steven Copeland
Assistants: Mr Les Sinclair and Mr Lewis Smith
Fourth Official: Mr Daniel Parkes

Attendance: 1411