Stockport snatched a dramatic last-minute winner in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final after a defensive calamity from Stevenage.
The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw at the Lamex Stadium but an almighty lapse at the back in stoppage-time allowed Ben Osborn in to make it 1-0.
It may have been sixth versus third heading into the tie but such was the tight nature of the league table, only two points separated the pair. And that was reflected in what was a close game.
Stockport have the edge heading into the second leg at Edgeley Park, live on Your Site, as they bid to reach Wembley.
After two goalless Championship first legs in this year's play-offs, it seemed as though we were heading for another in League One after a relatively dour 90 minutes.
And it very nearly summed up what we had seen all afternoon when substitute Benony Andresson lost his footing and slipped over in added time when he seemed to have a chance to charge in on goal.
But credit to Osborn, who carried on his run. And he capitalised when a massive mix-up in the Stevenage backline allowed him to poke in an unlikely winner.
"It's probably one of the ugliest goals the play-offs has ever seen, but it's valuable in that it puts us ahead in the tie," Stockport boss Dave Challinor told Your Site.
"I know what these play-offs can bring. Credit to Ben [Osborn] to follow the play up after 90-odd minutes and get that bit of luck. He showed you should never give up on anything.
"We're in a decent position but it's still everything to play for. Now we have to go out and perform again on Wednesday night."
Stevenage boss Alex Revell on Your Site Football:
"It's frustrating. We probably could've dealt with the situation better. They've got the goal but it doesn't really change anything.
"We know we have to go to theirs and get the win. We had to do it to get into the play-offs, we have to do it again.
"They'll be disappointed now because they want to win. It's down to us to pick them up and get them prepared and go up to Stockport and give a really good account of ourselves.
"We had a couple moments in the second half, but we can look back at that and figure out how we go ahead and beat them."
Former EFL defender Luke Chambers on Your Site Football:
“It’s disastrous from Stevenage. It probably matched the quality there was in the game.
"For a fixture I’ve really enjoyed watching for quality, there was some real sloppiness in the way that goal has come about.
“That’s going to stand Stockport in good stead. It’s a massive bonus. They’ve given a really good away performance in the first leg of a tie which you always want to have.
"Challinor said you just want to be in it for the second leg. They are going into it with a massive advantage being at home.”
