Cray Wanderers 2-3 Stockport County (AET): The Wands push Hatters to extra time in historic FA Cup tie

Cray Wanderers came agonisingly close to a famous FA Cup upset on their historic first appearance in the first round, but 10-man Stockport County fought back from two goals down to win 3-2 after extra time.

Despite being 112 places below their opponents in the pyramid, it was Isthmian League Premier Division outfit who took a stunning lead after 21 minutes when Ola Ogunwamide pulled the ball back for Sammie MacLeod to find the bottom corner.

Stockport were then reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute as goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond was sent off for a dangerous challenge on John Ufuah just outside the area.

The resulting free-kick, taken in the 35th minute, produced another sensational moment at Flamingo Park as Alex Hernandez bent a brilliant strike into the top-right corner.

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Decisive moment

Depleted Stockport pulled one back in the 81st minute when Lewis Fiorini’s ball into the box was knocked back across by Josh Dacres-Cogley for substitute Kyle Wootton to head in.

And the Hatters then sent the tie into extra time when Mikael Mandron was in the right place to nod home Jack Diamond’s cross a minute into stoppage time.

The decisive moment came in the 101st minute when Cray goalkeeper JJ Briggs clattered into Mandron to give away a penalty, which was dispatched by Fiorini.

For the Wands, it was a heartbreaking end to a landmark occasion, having reached the first round for the first time in their 166-year history.

Before the tie, boss Tim O’Shea had urged supporters to “bring their voices” and help create an atmosphere at Flamingo Park, with the club hoping the televised occasion would bring greater exposure and attract more people through the gates.

Dreamland

The Wands certainly gave their fans plenty to cheer, taking a two-goal lead and pushing their League One visitors all the way before bowing out after extra time.

Speaking to BBC Sport, O’Shea said: “We were in dreamland at half-time. We couldn’t believe where we were.

“They just kept coming. We’ve caused them more problems than perhaps some opposition in their own division.

“That is something I can take from this.

“We try and play on the front foot. I’m super proud. It is a shame we couldn’t get over the line.

“We nearly got there.”

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