Stockport County delivered a breathtaking late show at Edgeley Park, overturning an early deficit and capitalizing on Wigan Athletic’s indiscipline to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory in their pivotal League One clash. The win, marked by two stoppage-time goals from Kyle Wootton, keeps the Hatters’ automatic promotion hopes alive and leaves Wigan ruing what might have been after finishing the contest with just nine men on the pitch.
It was a match that had everything: early goals, comebacks, red cards, and a crowd on edge until the very last whistle. Stockport, sitting fifth in the table with 53 points from 31 matches prior to kick-off, were eager to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bradford City—a result that had ended their impressive seven-game unbeaten run. Wigan, meanwhile, arrived with renewed optimism after Gary Caldwell’s return as manager had inspired a much-needed win over Luton Town, lifting the Latics out of the relegation zone and snapping an eight-game winless streak.
But it was the visitors who struck first, and fast. Just two minutes into the contest, Joe Taylor seized on a loose ball, raced through the Stockport defense, and coolly slotted past Ben Hinchliffe to give Wigan the lead. The away supporters barely had time to celebrate before Stockport hit back. Three minutes later, Brad Hills rose highest to head home Ollie Norwood’s pinpoint free-kick from six yards, leveling the scores and injecting new life into the home crowd.
Yet Wigan showed their own resilience, with Taylor once again the man of the moment. In the 11th minute, he met Fraser Murray’s cross at the near post, nodding in his second goal of the afternoon and restoring the Latics’ advantage. The frantic pace continued, with Stockport probing for another equalizer. Sam Tickle, Wigan’s goalkeeper, was called into action to deny Ethan Pye, but the Hatters would not be denied for long.
Four minutes before halftime, Jack Diamond whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and after a scramble involving Adama Sidibeh and Steven Sessegnon, the ball found its way into the net. Sidibeh was credited with the goal, and the teams went into the break level at 2-2, with both sets of fans bracing for more fireworks in the second half.
After the interval, Stockport seized control of possession and pressed forward, eager to capitalize on their momentum. Wootton and Sidibeh both came close, only to be thwarted by the impressive Tickle in the Wigan goal. The tension ratcheted up another notch on the hour mark when Sessegnon, already on a yellow card, was sent off for a second bookable offense, reducing Wigan to ten men with thirty minutes still to play.
With the numerical advantage, Stockport piled on the pressure. Morgan Fox produced a superb block to deny Sidibeh, and Wigan’s defense looked to be holding firm as the clock ticked into stoppage time. But the drama was far from over. In the 92nd minute, Kyle Wootton rose above the crowd to head home, finally giving Stockport the lead for the first time in the match and sending Edgeley Park into raptures.
Wigan’s day went from bad to worse moments later. Maleace Asamoah Jr received a straight red card for a late challenge, leaving the visitors with just nine men for the closing stages. Stockport, sensing blood in the water, pressed their advantage, and Wootton struck again in the 100th minute, slotting home his second goal and capping a remarkable comeback.
The final whistle brought a wave of relief and jubilation for Stockport, who now enjoy a crucial three points that bolster their push for promotion. With this win, they could potentially open up an eight-point cushion over seventh place, depending on other results—a significant step as they chase a place in the Championship after narrowly missing out last season.
Manager Dave Challinor was quick to praise his team’s character in the aftermath. According to PA Media, Challinor said, "Showed really good resilience," a sentiment echoed by the home supporters who witnessed their side’s determination and fighting spirit. On the opposite touchline, Gary Caldwell could only reflect on what might have been, stating, "The effort was brilliant," acknowledging his team’s commitment despite the adversity they faced with two red cards and a depleted lineup.
Injury concerns continued to shape both teams’ preparations for the match. Stockport were without Everton loanee Tyler Onyango, sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury suffered against Bradford City. However, the return of Josh Dacres-Cogley from suspension provided a timely boost to the defensive ranks. On the Wigan side, Caldwell’s squad was stretched thin by a spate of injuries, forcing him to make difficult choices with his lineup and substitutions throughout the contest.
The match also showcased the attacking talents on both sides. Joe Taylor’s early brace for Wigan highlighted his predatory instincts, while Stockport’s creative midfield—anchored by Norwood and Diamond—provided the ammunition for their forwards. Wootton’s late heroics underlined his importance to the Hatters’ campaign, and Sidibeh’s energy and movement kept Wigan’s defenders on their toes all afternoon.
For Wigan, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after such a promising start and a recent upturn in form under Caldwell. The red cards to Sessegnon and Asamoah Jr will add to Caldwell’s selection headaches in the coming weeks as the Latics continue their battle to avoid the drop. The manager, who returned to the club after previously leading Wigan from April 2015 to October 2016, faces an uphill battle to keep his side in League One, but he’ll be hoping the fighting spirit shown in patches at Edgeley Park can be harnessed for the run-in.
As the dust settles on a rollercoaster afternoon, Stockport County can savor a victory that not only keeps their promotion dreams alive but also demonstrates their resilience and ability to deliver under pressure. For Wigan Athletic, it’s back to the drawing board as they regroup and prepare for another tough test in their quest for League One survival. Football, as ever, delivers the unexpected—and Edgeley Park won’t soon forget this six-goal thriller.