STOCKPORT COUNTY 3, SOUTHPORT 2
Stockport County don’t know the meaning of the word defeat after overcoming a two-goal deficit to beat Southport and go joint top of Vanarama National League North.
Three goals in a scintillating eight-minute spell either side of the break epitomised the never-say-die spirit of the Hatters.
County extended their unbeaten run to 19 games – 15 in the their division which is their best run results in the league since 1937.
It is three months since County last lost in the league, a run that seen them climb from 11th place and mid-table obscurity to hot on the heels of leaders Chorley who at one stage looked to be romping away with the league.
County, favourites for promotion pre-season, are living up to the billing of the bookies.
It wasn’t easy, though, as mid-table Southport were a threat, something manager Jim Gannon warned of in his programme notes, pointing to their recent 5-3 win against Chorley as a danger signal.
It looked as though it would be a routine win early on after early County dominance in which Sam Walker forced a fine save from keeper Daniel Hanford who kicked off his career at Swansea City.
But the night suddenly unravelled for County as the Sandgrounders went 2-0 ahead just after the half hour.
Jordan Richards’ low free kick squirmed past keeper Ben Hinchliffe and then County were caught by a 2 v 1 breakaway as Jordan Archer raced clear and slipped a sideways pass to Dion Charles who rifled home a low shot.
County were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half time when they halved the deficit when midfielder Jordan Keane found the net with a terrific shot on the run after a cross was only partially cleared.
And the Hatters came within inches of drawing level within two minutes of the restart when Adam Thomas’ angled shot struck the far upright.
It was not long before it was 2-2 when right-back Sam Minihan made a powerful break and his low cross was glanced home by Darren Stephenson.
County then hit a third goal in eight minutes to take the lead, a fabulous free kick from Sam Walker that was bent over the visitors’ defensive wall.