Stockport discipline disappoints Dave Challinor despite holding off Rotherham

Stockport manager Dave Challinor was full of praise for his players after they withstood late pressure to beat Rotherham 3-2.

His side took a 13th-minute lead when Rotherham defender Sean Raggett deflected a low cross from debutant Josh Cogley into his own net.

Rotherham comically drew level after 42 minutes through another own goal when Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe cleared against teammate Joe Olowu’s back and the ball deflected into the Hatters’ net.

Away goalkeeper Cameron Dawson appeared to be impeded before Josh Stokes put the home side ahead after 55 minutes, but Rotherham responded to the setback on the hour mark as Sam Nombe finished off a slick passing move.

Benony Andresson scored from close range after 76 minutes to put Stockport ahead for the third time. Nombe struck the woodwork in stoppage time as Challinor’s men survived a late scare.

Challinor said opposition manager Matt Hamshaw would have every right to be “disappointed” with Stockport’s controversial second goal.

He said: “I have not watched it back, but in any other game of football it would be a foul. I can understand why he would be disappointed.

“We started the game well and got ourselves in front. But then, I probably want us to do a little bit more, sense blood and go get that second goal.

“They then get themselves back in it and we lose discipline with our shape and the midfield becomes non-existent.”

Challinor was frustrated by his side’s response to conceding an unfortunate second goal, adding: “We were affected too much by a freak incident that not many, or if any, people will have seen before. That happens.

“It was a moment that cost us in terms of our attitude. We went into our shells a little bit and I’m displeased about that.

Rotherham boss Hamshaw felt his side were extremely unfortunate to leave Edgeley Park empty-handed.

He said: “It feels like a lot of things are conspiring against us at the moment.

“It’s quite clear that some players are lacking in confidence and I understand that. That’s my job, to try and get it out of them.

“We saw the difference that Sam Nombe made and I thought Harry (Gray) was good, considering he’s 17. Harry’s got bloody knees, a scratched face and all the rest of it, but that’ll do him good.

“It was a real positive performance and the fact that it hasn’t got us any points is disappointing.

“I’ve only been able to put what I see as my best team out a handful of times this season, and that’s what’s killing us.

“There’s no disrespect to anybody within this squad. I trust them implicitly to go out there and play a game of football but fundamentally, you need your best players on the pitch and we have not had that consistently.”