Stockport 0 Hartlepool United 1: Rhys Oates the hero as Pools reach National League play-off final against Torquay United
Pools face Stockport County in the National League play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park.
And Dave Challinor’s side goes into today’s match having got past Bromley in the play-off eliminator round match with a 3-2 win at Victoria Park last Sunday.
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Hide AdBen Killip has returned to training but remains unlikely to feature following a serious elbow injury. Joe Grey (back) is out while Lewis Cass (hamstring) remains a doubt after missing the Bromley game.
Here, we’ll bring you live updates from the match as Pools eye a spot in the final:
Stockport 0 Hartlepool United 1 (Oates, 76): Pools reach National League play-off final
Key Events
- Pools face Stockport County in the National League play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park
- Dave Challinor’s side goes into today’s match having got past Bromley in the play-off eliminator
- Pools: James; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Odusina, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton, Holohan; Oates, Armstrong
- Killip, Francis-Angol, Donaldson, Molyneux, Elliott
Pools have done it!!!! They win 1-0 and reach the National League play-off final
Woohooo!!!!
Pools have done it. They beat Stockport County and reach the National League play-off final against Torquay United next Sunday afternoon at Bristol City.
Rhys Oates the hero as Pools win 1-0. Get in! Reaction, ratings and report to come.
FIVE minutes of added-on time at Stockport
And we are now three minutes into that.
Can Pools hold out for the final two minutes, you sense there will be another chance or at least one of the sides.
Challinor looking very relaxed here, trusting his players, they are on the brink of the final.
Save! James denies Bennett
Wow! What a moment that could be.
Cross comes in from the left flank, Bennett rises for a free header and James makes the stop to deny him. A superb low, reaction save.
Pools still holding on here. Five minutes to go. The home crowd are giving the home players all their backing.
Bennett now on for Stockport from the bench
Here we go then...Richie Bennett comes off the bench for Stockport.
The former Pools loanee will be hoping to make a big impact against his former side.
An interesting twist as we head into the final stages here.
Pools still leading 1-0 thanks to Rhys Oates goal.
76’ Pools take the lead!! Oates with the opening goal
Pools take the lead!!!!!
Oates from 20-yards with a fine, low strike and Pools are now ahead with 15 minutes to go.
A superb finish from the in-form top scorer.
75’ Molyneux will be coming on for Pools shortly, Holohan set to depart
Holohan could have been sent off a few moments ago but he got away with a yellow card, now Dave Challinor looks to be taking him off
68’ The game is opening up now with chances at both ends
All set for a very tense last 20 minutes here, with chances now at both ends.
Newby had a brilliant chance for Stockport but he miscued his shot and it went wide before Pools cleared the danger.
Pools seeing more sight of goal at the other end too but no real clear cut chance so far.
56’ gone here and it remains goalless...remember it will be extra-time and penalties if it is level at FT
A long way still to go here and the second half has seen more chances created at both ends, Shelton had a strong penalty shout after he was tripped inside the area.
Stockport looked to get away with one there, perhaps Shelton went down a little too easily.
Up the other end, James alert to gather at his near post. Evenly poised this game. Still goalless.
HT: All square here at Stockport, neither keeper tested so far
All square at half-time, neither keeper tested so far.
The weather is warm, Pools won’t mind how things are going so far though. Rhys Oates has had a couple of openings late on in the half but neither tested the keeper, the first dragged well wide of the post.