11/12 Stockport 2nd Half

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 25/06/2000

Grimsby Town 3 Stockport County 2
11 Dec 1999, FA Cup

Torrential rain which started during half time continued as the second half began. And the Mariners made a lightning start themselves almost increasing their lead after just 15 seconds. Donovan scampered away down the right and crossed to the far post were Livingstone challenged keeper Nash who punched clear as far as Buckley. The youngster hit a fierce left foot volley goalwards but a defender flung his body in the way to block the shot. Livingstone who had been awesome up front was the main man at the back when he headed away a dangerous Flynn cross.

Grimsby Town Croudson Butterfield R Smith Lever Gallimore Donovan Coldicott Groves Buckley Lester Livingstone   Subs McDermott Pouton Allen D Smith Love

Town were looking good down the right with Coldicott twice being given good crossing opportunities. The first he hit straight at a defender and the second he lost it to the arms of Nash.

The first booking came after 58 minutes when Donovan slid into Cooper, appearing to get a slight touch on the ball but not enough to save his bacon.

Mark Lever conceded a corner in the 62nd minute from which County drew level.

Bergersen's inswinger from the left was met by Bailey standing a couple of yards out by the near post and he nodded unchallenged into the net.

Six minutes later Town had the chance to restore their lead when from a free kick the ball was headed on and fell to Lester inside the box but the strikers shot was closer to the Pontoon stand roof than to the goal.

County themselves were looking for the winner and when Bailey released Bergersen the winger shot straight at Croudson.

Alan Buckley sought to regain the initiative with a double change, John McDermott and Alan Pouton replacing Butterfield and Coldicott with just over twenty minutes to go.

Stockport took off Bennett in the 71st minute bringing on Woodthorpe. Lester went on a run down the right for Town but with Donovan clear and in space the striker dribbled till he lost possession, angering sections of the crowd.

Then substitute Pouton stormed down the left and beat two men before seeing his cross cut out.

Stockport took the lead in the 81st minute through Ian Moore after some poor play by Town.

A weak clearance by Croudson put substitute Allen in possession and when he played the ball forward Lever got too far underneath it with the ball skidding off his head into the path of Moore who fired past Croudson.

A minute before that Town had taken off Jack Lester and brought on Bradley Allen.

County almost made it three five minutes from time when Bailey broke through but the striker fired inches wide as Croudson dived at his feet.

Just when all looked lost the Mariners saved the game with a minute to go.

Donovan's cross from the right was only half cleared by Flynn to the edge of the box where Livingstone pounced to power a left foot shot into the corner.

As the game went into injury time a cross from Donovan was beaten away but there was Allen to pounce and ram home the winner with the last kick of the game!

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