Stockport manager Dave Challinor hailed back-up goalkeeper Corey Addai for keeping the Hatters in the Sky Bet League One automatic promotion picture thanks to a 2-0 victory at struggling Wigan.
Addai replaced the injured Ben Hinchliffe just before half-time at the Brick Community Stadium, and played a key role as his side continued their fine recent run.
He made a stunning save with his right leg to deny Wigan substitute Ronan Darcy the game’s opening goal with 15 minutes to go.
County then took full advantage by scoring both of their goals within seven minutes of the save, through Lewis Bate (79) and Will Collar (82).
Addai denied Wigan even an 88th-minute consolation through skipper Jason Kerr, as the bumper County contingent enjoyed their trip across Greater Manchester.
“I thought it was always going to be a tight game with their record in terms of goals they’ve scored but more the lack of goals they’ve conceded,” said Challinor.
“Both teams like to, I suppose, have control on a massive pitch, so it’s difficult to press and if you press wrong, I suppose that opens things up. Probably level with no goals was a true reflection of what the first half looked like.
“But we are again thankful that Corey Addai has made two really big saves in that second half, one at 0-0 and then one at 2-0. If you go 1-0 down against these, it can be difficult. We spoke about that before the game.”
On the backing his side had been given from the away end, Challinor added: “It’s great when we can, I suppose, travel to local grounds and bring the number that we did. It’s great, especially when you are in big stadiums and you get bigger allocations.
“I suppose you look at where we’ve come from. In the National League, there are some smaller grounds. You feel like you’re properly back in League One.
“There’s nothing better than coming to these types of stadiums. From a footballer’s perspective, if you can’t – and don’t appreciate what you’ve got when you come to these types of things, you never will, and it’s no different as a manager.”
For Wigan boss Shaun Maloney, it was an all-too-familiar tale of what might have been.
“It’s probably been the story of the season…the difference between us and the opposition in both boxes,” he said.
“In fairness, we struggled in the first half, we didn’t get our pressure right. But we fixed that in the second half.
“Obviously the big moment in the game came at 0-0, we miss a big chance, and then we don’t defend our box as we should – that probably goes for both goals.
“I didn’t feel there was ever much in the game, in terms of one side being more dominant than the other for long periods.
“But in fairness to them, they took their chances and we didn’t, and that was the difference.
“It’s a tough one, but today was probably a reflection of our season as a whole.
“The difference is always what happens in both boxes, and we just haven’t been good enough again.
“At the moment we’re really struggling…to be fair, we’ve probably struggled with that all season.”
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