Stockport County’s bid for survival will go down to the final day of the season after Adnan Cirak’s stoppage-time leveller against Gateshead delighted boss Ian Bogie.
Cirak rescued a point for the Hatters, who must now beat title-chasing Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday to retain Blue Square Bet Premier division status.
Following the disappointment of the weekend, Bogie was thrilled with the response of his players, especially after striker Jon Macken hobbled away from the warm-up.
“I thought the lads were magnificent in terms of their effort,” he told Pure Radio. “If they replicated that on Saturday it wouldn’t have been a problem.
“The lads came in and stood up to be counted. We were full value for the draw.
“I’m pleased for Adnan, he’s come in for a bit of stick and criticism but he’s given the fans something to take home and we vow to fight another day.”
Cirak fired home in the third minute of stoppage time, leaving Stockport two points adrift of Gateshead and Tamworth going into the final game.
Kidderminster can still win the league should Mansfield Town slip up on the final day and Bogie has no qualms about the challenge facing the Hatters.
“The pressure’s on them isn’t it,” explained Bogie. “We can go there and give it everything we’ve got.
“If we perform in terms of the effort tonight we’ll not be far short, that’s all I ask. I’m really proud of the performance and effort they’ve given us.”
Bogie insisted he expects a similar high level of performance against the Harriers and admitted he sees no reason why his players cannot overcome the odds.
“It’s been a massively disappointing campaign but it’s not over till it’s over, we’ll fight till the bitter end,” he said.
“We’ve always got to have belief and the odds are stacked against us, but if we believe and we win, I firmly believe we’ll stay in the division.”
Stockport are now 90 minutes away from premier division survival or their downwards slide through the footballing pyramid may go a step further than ever before.
Picture courtesy of Ricard 16, via Wikicommons, with thanks
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