Dave Challinor just happy to progress after Stockport beat Tranmere in FA Cup

Stockport boss Dave Challinor said progression in the FA Cup was ‘the important thing’ after securing a 3-1 victory over Tranmere at Prenton Park.

Jack Diamond opened the scoring for County in the 55th minute, firing past Jack Barrett from 20 yards to delight the travelling fans.

Tranmere levelled in the 71st minute through Omari Patrick, who side-footed home from a looping Cameron Norman cross.

Oliver Norwood restored County’s lead with a clever free-kick that beat Barrett at his near post and substitute Nathan Lowe sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike.

Challinor, who made just two changes for the tie against his old club, said: “When you enter this competition it’s all about progressing.

“I will always look at our performance and we’ve done enough to win.

“The first 10 minutes of the second half we were much more like us and we got ourselves in front, then conceded a poor goal but we were ultimately good enough to win and that’s the main thing.

“Do I think we’ll win the FA Cup? No. But what I want to do is continue the momentum around what we’ve got.

“I wanted to win the game but ultimately wanted to be in the next round as it’s an opportunity for us to give something back.

“We’ll see what Monday’s draw brings but we’ve progressed and that’s the important thing.”

Tranmere manager Andy Crosby felt the result was harsh on his side, who held their own against their League One opponents for much of the match.

“I thought we had really good opportunities,” he said.

“When you’re playing against a team who are in a higher division and you get those opportunities, I think the frustration will grow.

“We created some really good chances, which is a pleasing thing against a really good team.

“The overriding feeling is frustration considering the quality of the chances we created against the best team we’ve played this season.

“I’m pleased in lots of ways and we didn’t want to go out of the cup but I think we put on a really good show against the hardest team we could have got in the draw.”