Goals from Danny Hattersley and first Hatters strikes from Sean Newton (pictured) and Cameron Darkwah saw County run out comfortable victors at Nene Park.

Having seen his attacking approach the previous weekend against Bath City pay off with a 4-0 win, Jim Gannon stuck with the same system for the Hatters trip to Northamptonshire.

There was just the one change to that side, with Sam Sheridan coming in for Jordan Rose, who dropped to the bench.

County started off on the front-foot, immediately taking the game to the home side. Paul Turnbull and Danny Hattersley both had early chances before the latter was brought down in the area by Kettering player-boss Ashley Westwood.

Despite his appeals for a spot-kick, referee Robert Merchant saw things differently and booked the young striker for diving.

Danny L Rowe was next to try his luck with a long-range effort which was well dealt with by home goalkeeper Kelvin Jack.

While the Hatters continued to press for the opening goal, at the other end, on-loan keeper Lewis King was rarely tested in the first period, with the Sunderland shot stopper only making two saves of note from James Gray and Marcus Kelly.

A lack of composure had let County’s front-line down on several occasions in the first half but their persistence eventually paid off with a goal on the half-hour mark.

A looping cross from Paul Turnbull wasn’t dealt with by Kelvin Jack under pressure from Tom Elliott, with Danny Hattersley on hand to fire home for his second goal since signing from Lancaster City.

It only took 15 minutes for the second goal to arrive, with Sean Newton grabbing his first goal in blue and white since arriving on-loan from AFC Telford. The left-back curling in a beauty of a free-kick to send Jim Gannon’s men in 2-0 up at the break.

Perhaps tiring somewhat after an impressive first half display, County were put under pressure by the hosts at the start of the second period. The Hatters rhythm was also disrupted somewhat with Danny Hattersley having to be withdrawn after picking up a knock; Cameron Darkwah replacing him.

The home side wasted several good chances in the opening stages of the half, with John Van Engel being the main culprit, blazing over from inside the area.

They did eventually pull a goal back through Ashley Westwood with 15 minutes to go to ensure a nervy finish. County failed to deal with a long throw-in and Westwood was able head home.

A fightback never materialised from the Poppies however, and after Kelvin Jack had saved well from Danny M Rowe, Cameron Darkwah was able to seal victory in stoppage time, firing home after Carl Piergianni’s effort had been saved for his first senior goal.

- Rate the players from Saturday’s game.

Stockport County: King, Newton, Halls, Piergianni, Connor, DL Rowe (DM Rowe 83), Sheridan, Mainwaring, Turnbull, Hattersley (Darkwah 46), Elliott.

Subs: Ormson, Rose, Nolan, Darkwah, DM Rowe.

Kettering Town: Jack, Davis (Mills 46), Sangare, Ifil (York 69), Westwood, Ralph, Noubissie, Van Engel (Ford 74), Kelly, Wyke, Gray.

Subs: Bridges, Ford, York, Mills, Joyce.

Ref: Merchant

Att: 1,281

A brace from Tom Elliott and a goal a piece from new signing Danny Hattersley and Carl Piergianni saw County run out comfortable winners and move four points clear of the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone.

With more options available to him following the recent arrivals of Lewis King, Sean Newton and Danny Hattersley, Jim Gannon opted for a new system, going for three strikers rather than the usual one.

The change gave the Hatters much more of an attacking threat, and their intent to get in behind bottom of the table Bath City was clear from the off. Danny L Rowe could have opened the scoring inside the first minute but his shot from Matty Mainwaring’s left wing cross was well blocked.

The opening exchanges were dominated by Jim Gannon’s side, with Tom Elliott and Danny Hattersley in particular looking menacing and linking well together up-front.

The pair both had great chances early on but fluffed them both before Hattersley made amends by netting his first goal for the club on 14 minutes. The former Lancaster striker slotting home Joe Connor’s ball under pressure from Romans defender Gethin Jones.

The opener, against tough to break down Bath gave County the confidence to push on for more goals. Visiting keeper Glyn Garner wasn’t going to be broken as easily as the defence in front of him however, and he kept his side in the game with a string of good stops in the first period.

Garner saved well from Sean Newton and Jon Nolan before outdoing himself with a fine full-length save from Newton just before the break.

In between, home goalkeeper Lewis King had to be alert to twice dive at the feet of veteran midfielder Scott Murray as the away side showed some rare glimpses of hope.

The Hatters started the second period as they did the first and doubled their lead ten minutes into the half. Tom Elliott latched onto a Danny Hattersley flick on and coolly rolled the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to all but wrap up the three points.

With the Romans offering little in the way of an attacking threat, County were able to relax somewhat and try and improve a goal difference that had taken a battering in recent weeks.

Carl Piergianni was next to get his name on the scoresheet on the hour mark from Danny L Rowe’s corner to net his 4th goal of the season.

Marc Canham had Bath’s best chance of the match with 15 minutes left to play but his free-kick summed up the visitors afternoon as it flashed just wide of Lewis King’s post.

A fourth goal courtesy of Tom Elliott’s late finish wrapped up a convincing win, albeit against a particularly poor Bath side – but the manner of the performance and victory will no doubt boost morale in the camp with another two vital games against Kettering and Lincoln to come next.

- Rate the players from yesterday’s game.

Stockport County: King, Rose (Nolan 32), Newton, Halls, Piergianni, Connor, DL Rowe, Mainwaring, Turnbull, Hattersley (DM Rowe 57), Elliott (Whitehead 83).

Subs: Hirmer, Nolan, Darkwah, Whitehead, DM Rowe.

Bath City: Garner, Jones, Preece, Gallinagh, Stonehouse, Murray (Egan 68), Connolly, Hogg, Canham, Burnell (Smith 46), Canham (Cook 54).

Subs: Simpson, Rollo, Egan, Smith, Cook.

Ref: Banks

Att: 3,744.

Tony Gray and Shaun Whalley both helped themselves to a brace for the Sandgrounders, while Carl Piergianni also put through his own net. Hatters goalkeeper Ian Ormson was sent-off with 18 minutes to play to compound the misery.

A number of injuries picked up in the week leading up to the game meant Jim Gannon was forced to reshuffle his pack. Tom Elliott was ruled out of the clash, meaning a debut for new signing Danny Hattersley up front. Sam Sheridan also came into central midfield after his spell on loan at Haig Avenue earlier in the year.

Southport started brightly, and their plan to unsettle a weakened Hatters back-line was clear from the off with a bombardment of long balls and set pieces.

Several early long throws caused alarm in the visitors defence but the Port weren’t able to take advantage.

At the other end, new signing Danny Hattersley looked assured in his first game at Blue Square Bet Premier level, going close mid-way through the first period but his effort was easily stopped by Tony McMillan.

McMillan was called into action moments later when he saved well from a deflected Matty Mainwaring shot.

Sam Sheridan risked giving a penalty away as Southport pushed for an opener when he brought down Shaun Whalley as he burst into the box but referee Richard Clark waved play on.

Another rash challenge from Sheridan did however lead to the opening goal on 41 minutes. The former Bolton midfielder brought Whalley down again on the edge of the area, with Sandgrounders top scorer Tony Gray ramming the free-kick home.

In a change at half-time, Jim Gannon withdrew Sheridan and brought on Jon Nolan in a like-for-like swap.

County had a glorious chance to level in the opening minutes of the second period as Danny Hattersley was put through on goal but he could only clip the ball over the bar with home keeper Tony McMillan standing up well.

The miss proved to be the turning point as Southport turned the heat up after their let off and netted four times in a twelve minute flurry.

Sean Whalley’s shot was deflected into his own net by Carl Piergianni shortly after the hour mark to double the scoreline before the ever-threatening Whalley made sure his name was definitely on the score sheet on 70 minutes.

County’s misery was compounded minutes later as goalkeeper Ian Ormson was given a straight red card by the referee for bringing down Tony Gray as he raced through on goal. 44-year-old goalkeeping coach Bernhard Hirmer was summoned from the bench for his first professional appearance in ten years but he could do little about the resulting penalty which Gray slotted calmly into the corner.

Whalley grabbed his second goal of the game with 15 minutes to play as he placed the ball past the on-rushing Hirmer.

The game petered out somewhat after the fifth goal, with Southport happy to play keep ball. County did have the ball in the net late on after Sean McConville prodded home following Danny L Rowe’s saved chip, but the goal was ruled out for offside which just about summed up the afternoon for Jim Gannon’s men.

The result leaves the Hatters just two points above the drop zone having played more games than the majority of their rivals.

Stockport County: Ormson, Rose, Halls (Darkwah 69), Piergianni, Connor, DL Rowe, McConville, Sheridan (Nolan 46), Mainwaring, Turnbull, Hattersley (Hirmer 72).

Subs: Hirmer, Brownhill, Nolan, Amis, Darkwah.

Southport: McMillan, Lever, Akrigg, Grand, Parry, Smith, Owens, Whalley (Stephenson 78), Ledsham, Ellison (Benjamin 63), Gray (Carden 83).

Subs: Nemes, Davis, Benjamin, Carden, Stephenson.

Ref: Clark

Att: 1,648

The Hatters went into the game high on confidence after back-to-back wins over Wrexham and Darlington, but were outplayed by their fellow relegation contenders Alfreton.

The result sees County stay in 16th place, seven points above the Blue Square Bet Premier drop zone, but having played two more games than most of the sides around them.

Jim Gannon made a solitary change from the side that beat Darlington at the weekend, with Euan Holden coming in at the back for the injured Danny M Rowe.

Unlike in previous games, County were slow out of the traps, and found themselves a goal down and already fighting an uphill battle inside the first minute. Jordan Rose let the ball bounce in the area, which allowed Nathan Jarman to nip in and give the home side the perfect start.

The early goal gave the Reds a massive confidence boost as they began to control the opening exchanges. The lively Nathan Arnold was brought down in the area by Rose but the referee chose not to point to the spot.

County’s best early chance fell to Danny L Rowe when he was found by Sean McConville’s cross but the striker miss-hit his shot and the danger passed.

The Hatters were made to paid for the miss when Alfreton doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Ian Ormson’s save from a Jarman shot caused an almighty goalmouth scramble and after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar, Anthony Wilson was on hand to finish.

The game was virtually put to bed in the 36th minute when Alfreton increased their lead even further from the spot. Ormson came out to challenge Paul Clayton as he cut in from the left but was adjudged to have brought down the striker and referee Seb Stockbridge awarded a penalty which was converted by Nathan Jarman.

In an effort to get back into the game, Jim Gannon made a double substitution at the break, bringing on Joe Connor and Aaron Cole for Andy Halls and Matty Mainwaring respectively.

The changes had little effect as Alfreton continued to pile the pressure on the beleaguered County. Paul Clayton was denied by a good Ian Ormson save, before Darran Kempson hit the bar with a header.

County came close to pulling a goal back just before the hour mark but Carl Piergianni’s header from a corner flew just over.

The home side continued to press for more goals, and were only denied by a further two stops from the busy Ormson.

At the other end, substitute Aaron Cole created a good chance for himself after cutting in from the right, but his 20-yard effort was off target.

Alfreton’s fourth goal of a miserable evening arrived shortly after through Paul Clayton. Ian Ormson did well to save the striker’s original effort, but the ball fell back to him and he beat Ormson and Jordan Rose on the line at the second time of asking.

A fifth arrived less than ten minutes later as Nathan Arnold was allowed to run at the Hatters defence after picking up on a loose ball before firing home from the edge of the area.

County’s embarrassment was further compounded as referee Stockbridge again pointed to the spot for a second penalty of the night on 86 minutes. Nathan Jarman stepped up and converted the spot kick to complete his hat-trick.

It could have got even worse when a Jordan Rose error allowed Arnold in on goal but Ormson again came to his rescue with another smart save.

The only consolation for Jim Gannon’s side came in stoppage time when Rose grabbed his first goal for the club with a header, but it did little to appease the large travelling contingent who witnessed another humiliating night for County.

Stockport County: Ormson, Rose, Holden, Halls (Connor 46), Piergianni, DL Rowe, McConville, Nolan, Mainwaring (Cole 46), Turnbull, Elliott (Gritton 87).

Subs: Hirmer, Connor, Cole, Gritton, Whitehead.

Alfreton: Stewart, Law, Franklin, Streete, Kempson, Brown (Deverdics 82), Moult, Clayton, Arnold, Wilson (Mullan 82), Jarman.

Subs: Lowson, Deverdics, Mullan.

Ref: Stockbridge

Att: 1,115

Danny L Rowe scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Jon Nolan was fouled in the box.

The win moves the Hatters seven points clear of the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone in their battle to avoid the drop.

County boss Jim Gannon named the same starting eleven that beat Wrexham the previous weekend, with the only change coming on the bench, where the fit again Joe Connor replaced Sam Sheridan.

The away side came out of the traps quickest without really testing Darlington keeper Jordan Pickford early on. Tom Elliott had an effort that flew wide in County’s best chance during the opening minutes.

Darlington’s biggest threat came from big forward Drewe Broughton, who joined the Quakers to help boost the numbers in Craig Liddle’s depleted squad. The former-Lincoln man headed just wide before setting John McReady up for a shot that was easily stopped by Ian Ormson.

Pickford was called into action twice in quick succession shortly after, saving from Sean McConville’s header and Danny L Rowe’s effort, with the latter a weak shot after being set up by Tom Elliott’s flick.

County did have the ball in the net on 24 minutes through Rowe but the goal was chalked off, with referee Ross Joyce ruling that Elliott had fouled keeper Pickford in the build up.

Sean McConville was next to go close for the Hatters with a superbly crafted chip which crashed back off the crossbar.

McConville and Elliott were both guilty of missing further chances shortly before the break as Jim Gannon’s side piled on the pressure in search of the opening goal.

John McReady had the home side’s best chance of the half right at the end of the first period after picking up on a loose ball, but his shot crept just wide.

A hamstring injury that has affected left-back Danny M Rowe in recent weeks meant that he had to be brought off at half-time, with Euan Holden coming on to replace him at the back.

There were no real chances created in the second half until just before the hour mark. Jordan Rose went close with a long range effort for County, before Jon Nolan was brought down in the box on the next attack and the visitors were awarded a spot kick.

Rob Ramshaw was given his marching orders for picking up a second booking for his foul on Nolan, with Danny L Rowe stepping up to convert the penalty.

The Hatters always looked comfortable after taking the lead, with Darlington creating little in front of goal. County were content to sit on their advantage, with Tom Elliott being the only player to have any real sight of goal for a while.

Former County man Marc Bridge-Wilkinson let fly from range late on but his effort went harmlessly over Ian Ormson’s crossbar.

Drewe Broughton had the Quakers last chance of the game just before the 90 minutes was up but he headed over from a corner.

Jim Gannon’s side saw out the three minutes of added time comfortably to record a second straight victory and clean sheet, and earn their first win on the road since late October.

Stockport: Ormson, Rose, Halls, Piergianni, DM Rowe (Holden 46), McConville (Whitehead 76), Nolan, Mainwaring, Turnbull, DL Rowe (Connor 83), Elliott.

Subs: Hirmer, Holden, Connor, Cole, Whitehead.

Darlington: Pickford, Arnison, Brown, Taylor, McReady, Ramshaw, Wainwright (Keltie 67), Bridge-Wilkinson, Broughton, Bowman, Harrison.

Subs: Nixon, Ferguson, Keltie, Lambert.

Ref: Joyce

Att: 2,202

The Hatters upset the odds with a 1-0 win over the Welsh side courtesy of Dragons keeper Joslain Mayebi’s first half own goal, which meant Jim Gannon’s side continued their impressive run of form at home.

Gannon was forced into making some changes from the side that was agonisingly beaten at York the previous weekend. New non-contract signing Jordan Rose slotted into defence in the absence of injured skipper Danny O’Donnell, while Danny M Rowe came in at left-back in place of Euan Holden. Carl Piergianni also reclaimed his starting spot, with Joe Connor ruled out with a groin injury.

The home side had the first chance of the match when Jordan Rose’s long range effort was deflected into the path of Danny L Rowe, whose shot was saved by Joslain Mayebi.

Wrexham were next to go close but Ian Ormson was equal to player-manager Andy Morrell’s header.

Jay Harris picked up a booking shortly after for a foul on stand-in captain Paul Turnbull, which he would later live to regret in the second half.

Neat play from Jim Gannon’s side saw them win a string of corners in the first half hour, and their third of the afternoon lead to the winning goal. Danny L Rowe’s in-swinging corner looked to have been claimed by the eccentric Mayebi, but the shot stopper inadvertently punched into his own net.

The custodian felt he had been impeded but his protests were waved away by the referee, who yellow carded him for his efforts.

Sean McConville nearly doubled the Hatters lead minutes later but his effort rebounded back off the post. Tom Elliott also looked to have been brought down in the box in the aftermath but Wayne Barratt turned down appeals for a penalty.

The Dragons had a couple of rare chances near the end of the half to draw level, but were denied firstly by a good Ian Ormson stop and then a poor finish from forward Jake Speight.

The beginning of the second period saw the already booked Harris receive his marching orders for picking up his second yellow after fouling Danny M Rowe.

His red card inadvertently helped Wrexham however, as they began to spark into life following the dismissal. Carl Piergianni had to be alert to block a good Speight effort after he had got past Andy Halls on the hour mark.

The 63rd minute saw the first two subs of the day for County, with Aaron Cole and Euan Holden replacing Sean McConville and Danny M Rowe respectively.

The away side were continuing to create chances, with Speight again guilty of putting another effort wide.

County never really looked like conceding however, with Rose and Piergianni forming an immediate partnership at centre-back.

Veteran winger Glenn Little had the best chance late on to earn an equaliser for Andy Morrell’s side but Ian Ormson was again equal to his shot.

The last minute of stoppage time gave young sub Danny Whitehead a chance to cap a famous victory for the Hatters, but Mayebi made a good low stop.

In the end it didn’t matter as Jim Gannon’s side made it seven home games unbeaten and earned a morale boosting victory over the second placed side.

Stockport: Ormson, Rose, Halls, Piergianni, DM Rowe (Holden 63), McConville (Cole 63), Nolan, Mainwaring, Turnbull, DL Rowe (Whitehead 85), Elliott.

Subs: Hirmer, Holden, Sheridan, Cole, Whitehead.

Wrexham: Mayebi, Alfei, Ashton, Westwood, Harris, Knight-Percival, Clarke, Leslie (Cieslewicz 76), Speight (Wright 71), Morrell (Little 60), Pogba.

Subs: Maxwell, Cieslewicz, Hunt, Little, Wright.

Ref: Barratt

Att: 4,518

The Hatters belied their league position with a strong performance against the promotion chasers, but were again undone by late goals, something that may prove to be decisive come the end of the season.

Jim Gannon made one change to the side that drew with Newport County the previous weekend, bringing in Jon Nolan for Carl Piergianni, with Joe Connor slotting into the back four.

They were forced to reshuffle in the opening minutes however, as skipper Danny O’Donnell was forced off with an ankle injury. Piergianni was the man to replace him.

County once again started brightly, with striker Tom Elliott having an early effort on goal, while Jon Nolan looked to have a decent claim for a penalty turned down.

York created some half chances but never really tested goalkeeper Ian Ormson in the first half hour.

The Hatters continued to play the ball around with confidence, often spreading the ball out wide but home custodian Michael Ingham was equal to their crosses into the box, coming to claim several times.

Matty Blair had the Minstermen’s best chance of the half but headed over from inside the area.

York came out of the blocks quicker at the start of the second period but it was County who took the lead on 52 minutes with a route one goal. Ian Ormson’s long clearance was flicked on by Tom Elliott to Danny L Rowe who continued his fine goalscoring form by smashing home.

Home boss Gary Mills made three substitutions in quick succession after the hour mark as he looked to give his side fresh impetus.

The changes nearly worked as Matty Blinkhorn hit the post with a header on 71 minutes, before Ian Ormson had to be at his best to save from the ensuing corner.

County were dealt another injury blow shortly after as Joe Connor was forced off, with striker Danny Whitehead replacing him. Paul Turnbull dropped to centre-back.

The injuries were clearly having an effect on the Hatters defence, with Ben Gibson next to rattle the bar with a header as Jim Gannon’s side began to buckle under the late pressure.

A goal for York eventually came in the 84th minute when substitute Jamie Reed fired home from a right wing cross. He was lucky to escape a red card moments later though as he clattered Ian Ormson but was given a yellow card by the referee.

The late drama continued as in the sixth minute of stoppage time Matty Blinkhorn rose highest to head home a corner to break County hearts and earn York a dramatic victory that keeps up their push for the play-offs. The Hatters meanwhile remain in deep trouble towards the bottom end of the Blue Square Bet Premier as they look to avoid a third straight relegation.

York: Ingham, Smith, Doig, Gibson, Kerr, Blair (Reed 66), Brown (Swallow 60), Challinor, McLaughlin, Walker (Blinkhorn 66), Chambers.

Subs: Parslow, Tonne, Swallow, Reed, Blinkhorn.

Stockport: Ormson, Holden, O’Donnell (Piergianni 6), Halls, Connor (Whitehead 74), DL Rowe, McConville, Nolan, Mainwaring (Cole 56), Turnbull, Elliott.

Subs: Hirmer, Piergianni, Cole, Whitehead, DM Rowe.

Ref: T Harrington

Att: 3,370

The Hatters were left to rue poor finishing and a defensive mistake from Euan Holden that lead to Newport’s 87th equaliser however when it had looked like all three points were in the bag.

Keeping the same starting line-up that had begun the previous two games, Jim Gannon’s side started the brighter team and their early pressure was rewarded with a goal in the sixth minute.

Tom Elliott flicked on Euan Holden’s long ball forward, and Danny L Rowe (pictured above) was first to the ball to fire past visiting keeper Glyn Thompson.

The home side kept up the relentless pressure during the opening half hour, with Paul Turnbull shooting wide and Thompson saving well from Matty Mainwaring’s header.

The only real effort of note for Newport was Andy Sandell’s free-kick which was well dealt with by Ian Ormson.

County continued to press for a second goal, and Sean McConville perhaps should have done better when he was released on the right by Andy Halls but his drilled effort across the face of goal was a mixture of cross and shot.

Tom Elliott had a glorious chance to end his goal drought moments later when he was found by Paul Turnbull, but after rounding Glyn Thompson he was denied a simple tap-in by a superb saving challenge from Exiles defender Gary Warren.

The visitors came close to levelling right at the end of the half but after a neat move had found Adam Chapman, he shot wide of the goal.

Despite once again starting the second half on the back-foot it was Newport who grabbed an equaliser in the 49th minute through Andy Sandell. The former-Wycombe man found space on the edge of the area and fired home past Ian Ormson.

Sandell went from hero to zero shortly before the hour mark however when he was given his marching orders by referee Darren Bond. The 28-year-old was adjudged to have elbowed Hatters winger Sean McConville, and was given a straight red card.

His dismissal was to prove costly as County retook the lead two minutes later. Danny L Rowe was pulled back on the edge of the area by David Pipe, with the on-loan Fleetwood man promptly blasting a low free-kick through the wall past Glyn Thompson.

Rowe almost grabbed his hat-trick with 15 minutes left but saw his effort crash back off the crossbar.

Jim Gannon’s men continued to look for a killer third goal but were again denied by poor finishing. Danny M Rowe being one of the culprits when he put wide after a flowing move.

County were made to pay for failing to put the game to bed in the 87th minute, with Euan Holden’s poor clearance letting Newport sub Jake Harris in to steal a point.

There was still time for one last chance for the home side but Danny L Rowe’s effort in stoppage time flew wide of the goal, meaning the Hatters had to settle for a point.

Stockport: Ormson, Holden, O’Donnell, Halls (Cole 90), Piergianni (Nolan 68), Connor, McConville, Mainwaring (DM Rowe 61), Turnbull, DL Rowe, Elliott.

Subs: Hirmer, DM Rowe, Nolan, Cole, Gritton.

Newport: Thompson, Baker (Buchanan 50), Warren, Hughes (Jarvis 65), Rodgers, Pipe, Sandell, Minshull, Chapman, Foley, Charles (Harris 78).

Subs: Potter, Harris, Jarvis, Buchanan, Rose.

Ref: D Bond

Att: 3,565

Goals from Sean McConville (pictured) and Danny L Rowe gave the Hatters a two goal lead, before Harriers striker Nick Wright pulled a goal back. The away side did have chances to level but were wasteful in front of goal.

Jim Gannon stuck with the same starting eleven that earned a draw against AFC Telford the previous Tuesday as County looked for a much needed second victory of the month.

The first big chance of the match was presented to Kidderminster in the opening minutes when a poor back-pass from Carl Piergianni was seized upon by Callum Gittins, but his low drive was well stopped by Ian Ormson.

Harriers continued to do the early pressing, without ever really creating any clear goalscoring opportunities. They did force several corners; all of which came to nothing.

It was County who took the lead however on 20 minutes. Ormson’s long clearance forward was flicked on by Tom Elliott to Sean McConville whose well placed side-foot finish wrong-footed Kiddy keeper Tony Breeden.

Some neat play from Jim Gannon’s side created them several more chances after the opener, the best of which fell to on-loan midfielder Paul Turnbull, but his header from Danny L Rowe’s cross went wide.

Kidderminster were dealt another blow shortly after as full-back Tom Sharpe was stretchered off after getting his studs caught in the playing surface. Midfielder Dave Hankin was forced to fill in at the back, with Steve Burr choosing not to put any defenders on the bench.

County looked fairly comfortable holding onto their lead as half-time approached, but were thankful to captain Danny O’Donnell for a couple of important challenges as Harriers pressed for an equaliser.

Steve Burr made a switch at the break, bringing new striker Anthony Malbon on for Daniel Bradley but it had little effect, and it was in fact the Hatters who doubled their lead shortly after the interval. Danny L Rowe picked up the ball on the left hand side of the area and his low shot squirmed past Breeden at his near post.

After going two goals up, the last thing Jim Gannon’s side wanted was to concede a soft goal, but that was exactly what happened just a minute later. Nick Wright was given time on the edge of the area and his shot made its way into the net via a deflection.

Hatters fans could have been forgiven for fearing a collapse from their side after the goal, but the home side looked comfortable holding onto their slender lead.

Jim Gannon threw Martin Gritton on in place of Tom Elliott, and the big striker looked a handful, nearly netting with a header from Halls’ cross, before Tony Breeden saved another header.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie had Kidderminster’s best chance to equalise in the 84th minute when Jamille Matt’s pull-back found him unmarked in the area, but he could only put the ball into the Railway End with the goal gaping.

Jon Nolan had a glorious opportunity to wrap up the points for County in injury time when a neat bit of skill put him through on goal, but Breeden pulled off a fine save to deny the youngster.

In the end it didn’t matter as Jim Gannon’s side held on for a much needed and morale boosting victory.

Stockport: Ormson, Holden, O’Donnell, Halls, Piergianni, Connor, DL Rowe, McConville (Cole 88), Mainwaring (Nolan 72), Turnbull, Elliott (Gritton 57).

Subs: Glennon, Nolan, Cole, Gritton, DM Rowe

Kidderminster: Breeden, Williams, Jones, Sharpe (Hankin 34), Demetriou, Bradley (Malbon 46), Gittings, Storer, Hendrie, Wright (McQuilkin 67), Matt.

Subs: Lyness, Hankin, McQuilkin, Guinan, Malbon.

Ref: Simpson

Att: 3,728

A poor first half saw the Hatters two goals down, before goals from defenders Danny O’Donnell (pictured) and Carl Piergianni again rescued a share of the spoils like at Braintree on Saturday.

Jim Gannon made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Cressing Road. Paul Turnbull came into the midfield after re-joining the club on loan from Northampton Town, while Sean McConville and Danny L Rowe also came in after impressing as second half subs against Braintree.

Heavy rain throughout the day in Stockport made for a wet surface, with both teams regularly misplacing passes during the opening stages.

Danny L Rowe had the first attempt at goal in the 13th minute, but could only shoot straight at visiting keeper Ryan Young. He would live to regret the miss as Telford took the lead two minutes later. Kyle Perry’s right wing cross made its way to the back post where Chris Sharp was on hand to convert.

The Hatters had the majority of the play before the break but the lack of quality on offer from the home side meant they struggled to breakdown the Bucks well marshalled rearguard.

Telford completed a miserable half for County when they doubled their lead on 34 minutes. Veteran Steve Jones picked the ball up near the halfway line and embarked on a mazy run that took him past several weak challenges before slotting past Ian Ormson.

Danny L Rowe was looking like the only real threat for Jim Gannon’s side and he came close to reducing the deficit on the stroke of half-time but his shot from the edge of the area went wide.

With a half-time rollicking no doubt still ringing in their ears, the Hatters started the second period the livelier of the two sides and came close through winger Sean McConville. A neat passing move gave him a chance to shoot but he dragged his effort wide.

Jones had two chances in quick succession to wrap the points up for Telford shortly after, but he was thwarted by Ormson from distance, before heading over from close range.

Jim Gannon made a double substitution that changed the game just after the hour mark, bringing on Danny M Rowe and Aaron Cole for Euan Holden and Andy Halls. Rowe won a corner almost immediately which was headed home by Danny O’Donnell to begin County’s fightback.

O’Donnell then gifted the Bucks a chance to extend their lead, but Ian Ormson rescued him with a fine save from Phil Trainer’s effort.

Trainer was to become Telford’s villain when he saw red with ten minutes remaining after picking up a second yellow card for a push on Joe Connor.

The Hatters capitalised on their man advantage and equalised two minutes later. Aaron Cole’s shot was brilliantly saved by Ryan Young, but from the resulting corner Carl Piergianni headed home.

County came close to grabbing all three points in stoppage time when Young was chipped by Danny L Rowe, only for the ball to drop agonisingly wide of the goal.

Stockport: Ormson, Holden (DM Rowe 66), O’Donnell, Halls (Cole 66), Piergianni, Connor, DL Rowe, McConville, Mainwaring, Turnbull, Elliott (Whitehead 84).

Subs: Glennon, Cole, Gritton, Whitehead, DM Rowe.

Telford: Young, Salmon, Futcher, Blackburn, Valentine, Trainer, Smith (Killock 90), Cain, Perry (Rodgers 83), Sharp, Jones (Samuels 89).

Subs: Robinson, Killock, Samuels, Rodgers, Rooney.

Ref: Fearn

Att: 2,831