Stockport County narrowly avoided a major upset in the FA Cup first round, battling back with 10 men to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory against Isthmian League outfit Cray Wanderers after extra time. The League One side was forced to withstand an immense test, needing to overcome both a deficit and a numerical disadvantage to ensure their survival in the competition.
The cup clash pushed Stockport to the absolute limit as Cray Wanderers delivered a performance that gave their higher-ranked opponents a massive scare. Facing an Isthmian League side determined to make their mark, Stockport encountered severe adversity when they fell behind and were reduced to 10 men on the pitch.
Despite the daunting circumstances of playing a man down and trailing on the scoreboard, the League One outfit demonstrated the resolve required to mount a comeback. The fiercely contested match could not be settled within regular time, sending the tie into an extra-time period where Stockport ultimately clinched the five-goal thriller with a final 3-2 scoreline.
While Cray Wanderers pushed their League One visitors all the way to extra time in an unforgettable battle, it was Stockport County who successfully navigated the immense scare to progress from the FA Cup first round. The 10-man side leaves with their tournament ambitions alive, having shown their mettle to turn around a challenging tie and book their spot in the next stage.
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