Hatters having a Ball after late

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 STOCKPORT COUNTY 3

A STOPPAGE-TIME volley from James Ball ensured that Stockport County took maximum points at Horsfall Stadium despite a second-half rally from hosts Bradford Park Avenue.

The Hatters took an early lead when Matthew Warburton’s strike cannoned off Jason Oswell and nestled in the bottom corner, shocking an Avenue side full of confidence after an impressive win over AFC Telford United four days prior.

The hosts struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, allowing County to carve out a host of chances for their plethora of talented attackers. Steven Drench was forced to make two sensational stops to deny Oswell at point-blank range.

Avenue emerged after the interval with increased energy but were punished for squandering opportunites when Drench spilled a high ball into the path of Oswell, who put in.

But the hosts pulled one back through Javan Vidal, who steered into the bottom corner after latching onto a delivery from Mark Ross.

Jamie Spencer’s tenacity and willingness to hunt players down enabled him to disposses Jamie Stott, before slipping through to Frank Mulhern who

blasted past Ben Hinchliffe to draw level.

The game seemed destined to end level, but Ball’s volley won the points for the visitors and hauled the Hatters up to sixth.

They face Tamworth at Edgeley Park tomorrow, while Avenue visit Chorley.