Stockport County edged past local rivals Rochdale in an entertaining play off final at Wembley this afternoon.

Dale took the lead mid way through the first have when Rory McArdle’s powerful header flew past keeped Conrad Logan. Looking at the goal, it did seem that Adam Le Fondre impeded the keeper somewhat, yet the Hatters did not have to wait too long for their own slice of luck.

From a short Stockport corner, the ball was whipped in and Nathan Stanton was unlucky to see his arm deflect the ball past a wrong footed Tommy Lee.

Anthony Pilkington put the Hatters ahead just after the break with a powerful header, before Liam Dickinson’s near post thunderbolt left Lee with no chance.

Stockport by this time were well on top, but Dickinson’s goal served as a catalyst for the Lancastrians who upped their game for the remaining period. They were given just reward when Adam Rundle hammered a glorious volley passed Logan, however it proved to be too little to late as Stockport ended their three year stay in the League’s basement division.