Dave Challinor wants his Stockport side to target the League Two title after they moved to the verge of promotion with a 2-1 victory at Colchester.
Paddy Madden netted the Hatters’ second-half winner after Cameron McGeehan had cancelled out Nick Powell’s opener for the leaders.
Stockport boss Challinor said: “I’m still going to be the boring fellow who’ll say ‘you’ve worked so hard to get to this situation’ and when we do get promoted, we want to go up as champions.
“That’s still an objective and we need two wins to be able to do that.
“So if we are going to enjoy it, let’s make sure we enjoy it properly and put everything we can into the next 10 days or however long it may be and have a proper celebration.
“Colchester are scrapping for their lives and we weren’t great.
“We knew it would be a physical battle with the front two.
“Am I surprised that they get chances from set-pieces and from putting the ball into the box? No absolutely not but we dug in.
“It is the sign of a good team that we can not play very well but still win.”
Stockport took a 31st-minute lead when Powell’s hopeful effort from nearly 25 yards inexplicably squirmed under goalkeeper Owen Goodman and in, from Antoni Sarcevic’s short corner.
But Colchester equalised in first-half stoppage-time through McGeehan, who side-footed home Arthur Read’s corner.
Stockport bagged their winner on the hour mark when Madden converted from two yards after Connor Lemonheigh-Evans had cut Ethan Bristow’s cross back into his path.
Colchester had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 67th minute but Hinchliffe saved McGeehan’s penalty, after Tom Hooper had been fouled by Ethan Pye in the area.
Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: “The ball hasn’t quite rolled for us tonight.
“We’ve taken the best team in the league by a significant distance all the way and given them a really good game and arguably been the better team in the second half.
“But you can’t legislate for the two moments that happened.
“They do happen – there’s no recriminations, there’s no individual blame, it’s always a collective effort.
“I was proud of the team today, I was proud of the response that we showed after Saturday (against Wrexham) when we were really disappointed with ourselves.
“We beat ourselves in the last half hour in that game but tonight we showed resilience and determination.
“It was a really difficult moment for the team after conceding the first goal and you can easily go under in that situation but we didn’t and we responded really well.
“I’m really disappointed that we haven’t taken any points.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. RIPDiogo Jota , Andre Silva Rest in peace Diogo Jota1996-2025 Beautiful image It's been 11 years since the iconic "The Last Game" by Nike was released...Only the OGs remember this legendary animated ad film!One of the greatest ad films ever made!We're getting old... How to scout each team's players Brighton whenever Chelsea call USA VS. MEXICO IN THE GOLD...
Paul Pogba has said that he hopes to make a return to the French national team but added that there are "stages" to the process, as he was officially presented by AS Monaco on Thursday.The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder signed for the Ligue 1 club on a free transfer after serving an 18-month doping ban, after testing positive for DHEA, which boosts testosterone levels."It's the w...
WHAT HAPPENEDThere has been various levels of speculation in recent days about the possibility of Lionel Messi leaving MLS at the end of his contract, even though Inter Miami are confident that they will be able to extend his deal.Former MLS and USMNT star Herculez Gomez said, even if the odds are low against a departure, Messi leaving Miami would ring alarm bells for the league."House of cards cr...
Diogo Jota's body will return to Portugal ahead of the Liverpool player's funeral proceedings starting tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. The Portuguese international died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva while the pair were in Spain.The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the car they were travelling in said to have veered off the road and set on fire. Police ...
Newcastle on brink of £55m deal for Premier League starNewcastle United have stepped up their efforts to secure the services of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, lodging a substantial £55 million (€64m/$75m) offer for the 23-year-old.Ex-Arsenal star Ramsey signs for PumasAaron Ramsey, the former Arsenal midfielder, has joined Liga MX Side Pumas.Al-Nassr eye shock £73m s...
Barcelona 'pessimistic' about Nico Williams transferBarcelona are reportedly 'pessimistic' about being able to get the Nico Williams deal done after encountering several major financial difficulties.Barcelona have been pushing to sign the 22-year-old all summer but are now starting to realise the gravity of their financial situation.Athletic Club aren’t budging on their demand that the ̈́...
Arne Slot pens emotional message after Diogo Jota's tragic passingLiverpool manager Arne Slot has penned an emotional letter following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, passed away in a road accident on Thursday (July 3rd) in the province of Zamora, in north-west Spain.The footballing world is now grieving a player who had made a significant impact for clu...
Chelsea ace Noni Madueke 'open' to Arsenal switchChelsea winger Noni Madueke is reportedly 'open' to moving across London and joining Arsenal this summer as discussions over a potential deal continue.The 23-year-old enjoyed a decent 2024-25 season without pulling up any trees for Chelsea, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in his 41 games.Arsenal are understood to be discussing a potentia...
Inter Milan target in demand Palmeiras midfielderInter Milan are reportedly targeting a move for in demand Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios following a string of impressive performances at the FIFA Club World Cup.The 25-year-old has had a starring role for the Brazilian club as they reached the quarterfinals of the tournament with a game against Chelsea next.According to Calciomercato, Inter Mila...
FC Salzburg v Real Madrid CF: Group H - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Head coach Luis Enrique is pushing PSG to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who has struggled for minutes under new manager Xabi Alonso.WHAT HAPPENED?Paris Saint-Germain are keen on adding one more dimension to their already phenomenal attack, with head coach Luis Enrique pushing the club to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid. The former Sa...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 6 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 7 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-Nassr
- 10 Paul Pogba breaks down in tears as ex-Man Utd star seals return to football