Stockport ease past Tranmere to advance in FA Cup

Stockport booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over Tranmere at Prenton Park.

Second-half goals from Jack Diamond, Oliver Norwood and Nathan Lowe helped Dave Challinor’s side secure a spot in Monday night’s draw, with Omari Patrick replying for Rovers.

The hosts started brightly, putting their League One opponents under pressure in a lively first half.

They almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Charlie Whitaker fired wide with only goalkeeper Corey Addai to beat.

Stockport threatened soon after with Kyle Wootton’s effort from the edge of the box fizzing narrowly past the post, leaving Rovers goalkeeper Jack Barrett rooted.

Both sides continued to press for a breakthrough before the interval, with Whitaker seeing a close-range header blocked while Jayden Fevrier forced Barrett into a smart save at the other end.

Stockport took the lead in the 55th minute as Diamond fired past a helpless Barrett from 20 yards, delighting the huge travelling support behind the goal.

Tranmere responded and were level in the 71st minute when Patrick calmly side-footed home from a looping Cameron Norman cross.

However, a clever free-kick from Norwood deceived Barrett at his near post to put County ahead once again with 16 minutes remaining before substitute Lowe added a third in stoppage time.