Stockport County 0-1 Aldershot Town: National League side shock League Two leaders in FA Cup | Manchester News

National League side Aldershot Town stunned League Two leaders Stockport County as Olly Scott scored an 88th-minute winner to send them through to the FA Cup third round.

But it was Scott who bundled home from close range to send the Shots through.

They will now face Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the next round.

The visitors earned their replay having held Stockport to a 2-2 draw on their home ground on 3 December, a tie itself set up after knocking Swindon Town out in the first round with a thumping 7-4 win.

Their victory in Wednesday’s return fixture means they reach the third round of the competition for the first time since the 2012-13 season and for only the third time in their history.

Both sides came into the replay off the back of a free-scoring campaign, with the hosts scoring 41 goals in 21 League Two games this season while Aldershot had registered 38 goals from 22 National League fixtures.

Jack Barham tested Hatters keeper Hinchliffe having been teed up by Stokes midway through an edgy first half of few chances at either end.

Soon after, Stockport countered and almost took the lead themselves when Macauley Southam-Hales crossed towards Isaac Olaofe, who headed home only to be judged offside.

Jayden Richardson almost made an immediate impact for Stockport after coming on as a 75th-minute substitute as he tried to get on the end of a through ball into the visitors’ box but Aldershot keeper Jordi van Stappershoef did well to collect under pressure.

But the decisive goal came from a long throw-in from Haji Mnoga and Aldershot capitalised on Stockport’s inability to clear their lines with Scott eventually poking home at the far post to register his first goal for the club in style.

Stockport County boss Dave Challinor told Radio Manchester:

“I don’t feel sorry for what happened because I’ve been managing for 14 years and I can count on one hand the times I’ve been embarrassed by my team’s performance and tonight is one of them.

“That was nowhere near good enough. It’s a huge worry and huge concern because we’ve got a big three weeks ahead of us with five games against, without being disrespectful, better sides than Aldershot, before we can bring in bodies.

“Based on what I’ve seen tonight, we need to bring in plenty of bodies.”

Aldershot Town boss Tommy Widdrington told Radio Surrey:

“My group never know when they’re beaten and they’ll always play to the final whistle whether that’s 90 minutes or 100 minutes.

“I’m never worried about us going the distance. I hate the term ‘non-league’ because we’re a professional football club.

“As a group you won’t see many faster or fitter or stronger than us and that’s something I pride myself in. I’ve got a good support staff that make sure that’s the case.”