In-form Stockport County made it four wins from six with a first ever win at Aldershot Town on Good Friday.
Goals from Jack Stretton and Ash Palmer either side of the break were enough to earn The Hatters three points. The Shot pulled one back to make it 1-2.
County started brightly in the glorious sunshine, with The Hatters also looking to earn a first win on this date since 1926 – alongside that much-publicised record at The Recreation Ground.
Danny Searle’s side failed to trouble Ben Hinchliffe before the break, although Toby Edser should have rectified that when he curled wide of the Hatters ‘keeper’s far post from inside the area.
With less than ten minutes to the break, County snatched the lead in a breakaway move with all three front men involved.
Harry Cardwell knocked down for Paddy Madden, with Madden’s through-ball inch-perfect for youngster Stretton to latch onto and slot past Mitch Walker, for the Derby loanee’s third in five games since making the loan move from Pride Park.
The Hatters resumed for the second half without any changes on the cards, with Stretton again in the action as he looked to tee up strike partner Madden inside the area, with Madden’s eventual strike scooped high over the crossbar.
After a relatively well-balanced start to the second half, Ash Palmer rose highest to power James Jennings’ in-swinging corner past a helpless Mitch Walker to double The Hatters’ lead with twenty minutes left on the clock.
With fifteen minutes remaining, however, County were made to work for that elusive first win in Aldershot territory, as the hosts halved the deficit when midfielder Josh Rees got in behind and clipped past Hinchliffe into the far corner.
Despite some nervy moments late on, The Hatters held on for a big three points ahead of the visit of Bromley this Monday at Edgeley Park.
