‘We created the better chances’ – Stockport County boss Simon Rusk reacts to play-off semi-final defeat to Hartlepool United

Rhys Oates’ strike from outside the box 14-minutes from time was enough to separate the sides on a sweltering Sunday in the north west.

During the game, Stockport’s Paddy Madden missed a glorious chance to put the hosts into an early lead and former Pools loanee Richie Bennett saw his point blank header saved brilliantly by Brad James late in the day.

“We created the better chances in the game,” Stockport manager Simon Rusk said.

“We’ve had a mistake punished and in a play-off game there’s a terminal element to it.

“We’ve got a great football club in place here, the infrastructure and the ambition is there and we weren’t a million miles away this year. We’ve got to make sure with all those things in place, it drives us on to get over the line next year.”

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