Fifth time lucky for Stockport

Stockport County 3 Rochdale 2 :  Jim Gannon's Stockport made it fifth-time lucky at Wembley but were made to sweat in their …

Stockport County 3 Rochdale 2:  Jim Gannon's Stockport made it fifth-time lucky at Wembley but were made to sweat in their Coca-Cola League Two play-off final win over local rivals Rochdale.

County manager Gannon, 10 years a player at Edgeley Park, had been a Wembley loser four times with Stockport, who clinched their first promotion in 11 years.

The Hatters fell behind to Rochdale defender Rory McArdle's 23rd-minute corner, but once Nathan Stanton's own goal hauled Stockport level, Gannon's side seized control.

Anthony Pilkington headed County into a 49th-minute lead and Liam Dickinson bludgeoned home a third before Dale winger Adam Rundle set up a nerve-jangling finale with a 77th-minute volley.

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Gannon lifted County from the depths of League Two in January 2006 and this win will ease the memory of two Wembley play-off final and two defeats in the final of the Autoglass Trophy.

Neutrals can only sympathise with Rochdale in their centenary year.