John Hardiker stunned First Division leaders Manchester City with a dramatic late double to give relegated Stockport a famous victory.

The midfielder brought County level in the 86th minute then grabbed the winner in stoppage time against 10-man City who had led through Jon Macken's early strike.

It was only Stockport's fourth victory in the league this season after their relegation to the Second Division was confirmed at the weekend with defeat at Wimbledon.

But they battled and scrapped after City had had Shaun Goater sent off in the opening half.

City were hoping to go eight points clear at the top and recent £5million signing Macken put them in the driving seat when firing home in the 19th minute, bundling the ball home after County keeper Andy Dibble could only parry Goater's shot.

But things began to turn sour for the Blues when Goater was dismissed by referee Clive Wilkes in the 31st minute after he tipped a goalbound header from Luke Beckett onto the bar.

Beckett took the penalty kick himself but squandered a glorious chance of getting the equaliser, blazing his shot high over the bar.

City manager Kevin Keegan was forced to make a change at the break when he brought on Lucien Mettomo for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was limping at the end of the half.

Mettomo raced up field to get on the end of Ali Benarbia's cross but his finish lacked accuracy.

He was also out of luck in the 65th minute when his powerful header was superbly tipped over by Dibble following a free-kick from the right by Kevin Horlock.

Stockport continued to battle away and Hardiker headed home following a cross from Fraser McLachlan.

Then deep in stoppage time substitute Mark Byrne released Hardiker, who rolled the ball under keeper Nash to spark a mini pitch invasion.

It means City remain five points clear of Wolves with six games to go but one wonders what this result might have done to their confidence.

Teams

Stockport: Dibble, Clare, Palmer, Challinor, Gibb, McLachlan, Briggs, Thomas (Welsh 49), Hardiker, Beckett, Williams (Byrne 72).

Subs Not Used: Turner, Wild, Fradin.

Booked: McLachlan.

Goals: Hardiker 85, 90.

Man City: Nash, Dunne, Howey, Pearce, Wright-Phillips (Mettomo 45), Horlock, Jensen, Benarbia, Wiekens, Goater, Macken.

Subs Not Used: Royce, Jihai, Ritchie, Huckerby.

Sent Off: Goater (33).

Goals: Macken 19.

Att: 9,537

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).