Match ends, Stockport County 2, Morecambe 0.
Stockport County sealed promotion back to League One after a stress-free win over Morecambe at a jubilant Edgeley Park.
League Two leaders County, who have been in the top three since early October, needed only a point to guarantee going up and took the lead after eight minutes through Isaac Olaofe's thumping close-range volley.
Olaofe came close to a second before being forced off with injury but the Hatters pressed on and Fraser Horsfall's powerful header from Antoni Sarcevic's in-swinging corner in first-half stoppage time kept the party mood in full swing.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Callum Camps forced smart saves out of Shrimps goalkeeper Archie Mair as County continued to swarm forward after the break against their dispirited visitors who failed to have a shot on target with a late Joel Senior shot flying wide.
Joyous scenes then greeted the final whistle as the home side confirmed their place back in League One for the first time since their relegation from the third tier in 2009-10.
From League One to non-league and back - Stockport's eventful 16-year journey
It has been quite a round trip for Stockport County since the last time they won promotion to League One in 2008.
The Hatters sealed their place in the third tier 16 years ago having beaten near neighbours Rochdale in that season's League Two play-off final at Wembley.
But financial issues, administration and poor form meant those highs were followed by despairing lows.
Successive relegations saw them drop from League One to the National League by 2012 and a further relegation to regional football followed soon after.
County's stay in the National League North lasted six seasons, during which time they lost their full-time status.
The fightback began in earnest shortly before the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the football pyramid, however.
Local businessman Mark Stott bought the club in January 2020, cleared its debts and prophesied a brighter future for the club.
First came the return to professionalism, then a return to the EFL was targeted, and in stepped serial promotion winner Dave Challinor, tasked with guiding the club out of the National League.
Propped up with a formidable playing squad, Challinor won the fifth tier title, having battled against the financial power of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham.
A second successive promotion almost followed as the club reached the League Two play-off final in their first season back in the EFL, but unlike 2008, glory was not to be as they were defeated on penalties by Carlisle United.
The hangover from the agony of losing that final weaved its way into this season as they won just once in their opening eight games.
But a stunning run of 12 consecutive victories before Christmas - just short of what would have been a record-breaking run in the League Two - was the catalyst to them winning promotion this term.
With three promotions in six seasons, Stockport are back where they started after an unenviable journey over the past decade-and-a-half. Where can they go from here?
Analysis - Challinor the 'promotion king'
BBC Radio Manchester's Robin Grey
A photo of Stockport's play-off final defeat to Carlisle last May has been pinned up in the dressing room this season, with manager Dave Challinor using it to spur on his players.
Promotion was the expectation with a big budget and plenty of quality, but County have overcome some hurdles. They only won one of their first six league games.
The first two months of this calendar year saw a mounting injury list and the healthy lead at the top lost.
But ultimately, the record equalling 12-game unbeaten run before Christmas went a long way to securing their place in the third tier for next season.
Challinor is well and truly a promotion king - that's seven now in 14 years.
Line-ups
Stockport
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 1Hinchliffe
- 2KnoyleSubstituted forByrneat 63'minutes
- 6Horsfall
- 15Pye
- 23Bristow
- 27BaileySubstituted forBarryat 72'minutes
- 8CampsBooked at 40mins
- 9MaddenSubstituted forPowellat 71'minutes
- 10SarcevicSubstituted forRichardsat 72'minutes
- 25OlaofeSubstituted forLemonheigh-Evansat 20'minutes
- 19Wootton
Substitutes
- 5Byrne
- 11Powell
- 12Smith
- 20Barry
- 21Hippolyte
- 22Richards
- 24Lemonheigh-Evans
Morecambe
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 30Mair
- 15StokesSubstituted forSmithat 77'minutes
- 5Rawson
- 4BedeauBooked at 45mins
- 12Senior
- 10McKiernan
- 38KhumbeniSubstituted forSongo'oat 45'minutes
- 3Tutonda
- 19EdwardsBooked at 31minsSubstituted forLoveat 77'minutes
- 9GarnerSubstituted forSlewat 45'minutes
- 20BrownBooked at 69minsSubstituted forAdamsat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Love
- 6Songo'o
- 8Adams
- 14Slew
- 17Smith
- 21Smith
- 28Threlkeld
- Referee:
- Lee Swabey
- Attendance:
- 10,148
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away1
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away0
- Corners
- Home3
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stockport County 2, Morecambe 0.
Post update
Foul by Kyle Wootton (Stockport County).
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Farrend Rawson (Morecambe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Callum Camps (Stockport County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Yann Songo'o (Morecambe).
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Attempt saved. Nick Powell (Stockport County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Corner, Morecambe. Conceded by Neill Byrne.
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Attempt missed. Joel Senior (Morecambe) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jacob Bedeau.
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Attempt saved. Louie Barry (Stockport County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Kyle Wootton with a headed pass.
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Ethan Pye (Stockport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by JJ McKiernan (Morecambe).
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Fraser Horsfall (Stockport County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Adams (Morecambe).
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Foul by Ethan Bristow (Stockport County).
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Yann Songo'o (Morecambe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Morecambe. Cammy Smith replaces Chris Stokes.
Substitution
Substitution, Morecambe. Donald Love replaces Gwion Edwards.
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Offside, Morecambe. Jordan Slew is caught offside.
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Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Stockport County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
It'll be many years before our teams could play a derby match again.
Enjoy the day and next season in League One.
Wrexham fan
Best of luck next year too ⚽⚽⚽⚽
Hope you gets lots of media recognition for your achievements too.