A cruel deflected second-half goal from Carl Robinson pushed Stockport closer
to a relegation battle and left Wolves with heartier hopes of a
promotion-chasing run.
Robinson's effort, which spun into the net off County skipper Mike Flynn,
handed Wolves the three points after Brett Angell had cancelled out Dean
Richards' opener.
Before the game Stockport boss Gary Megson had given a rousing mid-pitch
speech to the home fans urging them to get behind their cash-strapped club and
promised First Division survival.
As if spurred on by Megson's words, County opened the game in lively fashion
with Derek McInnes, on loan from Rangers, and Rob Matthews both going close in
the opening quarter.
Wolves began to get into their stride midway through the half and an intricate
six-man move should have seen them take the lead, but Kevin Muscat's 20-yard
strike sailed into the arms of goalkeeper Carlo Nash.
Colin Lee's side looked the part going forward but their first-half defending
left a lot to be desired.
Slack marking in the 26th minute allowed Angell a sight of the target, Mike
Stowell saving well down to his right.
As the half drew to a close Wolves teenage starlet Robbie Keane handed his new
strike partner Havard Flo a gilt-edged opportunity only for the Norwegian
international to toe poke his chance across the face of the goal.
Keane was beginning to have an increasing influence on the game and after he
was brought down by Martin McIntosh four minutes into the second period, Simon
Osbourne lofted the free-kick over the bar.
Five minutes later Wolves were ahead, Richards directing his header inside
Nash's right-hand post from Michael Gilkes' cross.
But the home side replied immediately when Flynn's long throw found the head
of Angell at the near post, the ball looping over Stowell for the striker's 16th
goal of the season.
Wolves were unlucky not to retake the lead halfway through the period when
Flo's free header from Mark Atkins' cross cannoned back off the bar with Nash
flat-footed.
But after former Wolves midfielder Paul Cook was inches wide at the other end,
the visitors went back in front thanks to the lucky deflection.
Robinson's shot looked to be covered by Nash only for it to ricochet off Flynn
and seal the points for Wolves.
Teams:
Stockport: Nash, Gannon, Woodthorpe, Cook, Flynn, McIntosh,
Matthews (Travis 81), McInnes, Angell, Moore,
Cooper (Wilbraham 81).
Subs Not Used: Hughes.
Goals: Angell 56.
Wolverhampton: Stowell, Atkins, Muscat, Emblen (Sedgley 49),
Richards, Curle, Gilkes, Robinson, Flo, Keane, Osborn.
Subs Not Used: Connolly, Simpson.
Goals: Richards 54, Robinson 74.
Att: 8,654
Ref: G Cain (Bootle).
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