HARRIERS exited the FA Trophy at Stockport County with a 3-0 defeat at Edgeley Park, the reds left to rue many a missed chance on the night.

The squad’s more customary luck with injuries and illness reared its head prior to this one. James McQuilkin was the latest name to be hit with an injury as he missed out with an injury, while talismanic midfielder Elton Ngwatala was ill.

With Joel Taylor still out neither Tom Palmer nor Andre Wright travelling, it was down to the likes of Declan Weeks – himself back from injury – to fill the void along with Liam Truslove and Emmanuel Sonupén also slipping into the eleven.

While County did lead at the break it was Harriers who had the bigger share of first half chances by far, Bradley and Brown with the first couple as they took aim, while Truslove placed wide on 18 minutes after good work from Sonupé.

The opening goal came on 25 minutes when danger man Oswell teed up Turner inside the area who turned a good finish past the dive of Brandon Hall – but through Truslove, Harriers almost had an immediate equaliser up at the other end only for the midfielder’s shot to be tipped wide by Ormson.

On the half hour, Bradley combined well for Truslove who again struck off target with a first-time shot, before Hall made a fine save up at the other end as his point-blank reactions turned away the shot from Oswell.

Harriers ended the first half with a shot from Sonupé that went over the bar, and so they began the second as the winger raced in at the far post to notch one over from a corner.

Pearson took it upon himself to try his luck from distance with a shot that sailed just wide on the hour before Austin dragged an effort wide, Sonupé close once more six minutes further on with a curling shot.

The visitors had created so many chances without taking one that Stockport’s second, on 74 minutes, had a frustrating inevitability about it as a deflected shot from close range from McKenna found its way beyond Hall.

The misery of the night was compounded when, in the final minute, Pearson brought down Stephenson inside the area for a penalty that Dixon stepped up and converted, sending Hall the wrong way.

HARRIERS: Hall, Pearson, Austin, Croasdale, Horsfall, O’Connor, Sonupé, Weeks (Ironside 61), Brown, Truslove, Bradley (Vaughan 74).
Unused sub: Stratford

Attendance: 883

Referee: Danny Middleton