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Yeovil Town 1 Stockport County 1

12/11/2008

COUNTY must play Yeovil again next Tuesday night at Edgeley Park after Saturday’s game in Somerset ended with honours even.

It was pretty much a game of two halves at Huish Park, after County deservedly took the lead just before the interval, only to be pegged back just before the hour mark by Glovers’ skipper Terry Skiverton.

Hatters boss Jim Gannon made just the two changes following the long trip to the South West.

Owain fon Williams returned between the sticks in place of the now departed loanee Fraser Forster, while club skipper Michael Raynes was fully fit again and he was back as Paul Turnbull dropped to the bench.

As always, County started brightly on their travels, and just seven minutes had gone when Craig Davies fired a snapshot narrowly wide following a cross in from Tommy Rowe.

Yeovil quickly responded just a minute later though, as their latest loan capture Gifton Noel-Williams crossed dangerously, only for Leon McSweeney to get to the ball just before Danny Schofield.

Glovers’ Paul Warne then headed straight at the alert fon Williams.

County had been stroking the ball around neatly throughout the first half, but they didn’t get their reward until a minute before the interval. And what a well-worked goal it was.

Rowe’s free-kick was nodded on by Johnny Mullins temptingly into the path of loan striker Davies, and he hooked a shot past home ‘keeper Josh Wagenaar.

It was a timely boost for the Hatters, but the hosts did respond quickly when fon Williams was forced into a save before the half-time whistle from Gary Roberts.

In the second period Yeovil came right back into the game, and will probably feel that by the end they deserved a second crack at County now that a second round clash at League Two Gillingham is in prospect for the victors.

Roberts saw another shot saved by fon Williams soon after the restart, then Skiverton screwed a shot disappointingly wide when well placed.

The equaliser came on 59 minutes. Warne played in a super cross from out wide, and in raced the experienced Skiverton who headed convincingly past fon Williams.

The hosts’ were clearly lifted by their goal, and two minutes later fon Williams had to produce a brilliant save to keep out a thunderous volley from Roberts.

Controversy then followed with 18 minutes left as County were reduced to 10 men when Stephen Gleeson received a straight red card following an off-the-ball clash with Nathan Jones.

That could have seriously hindered County’s hopes in the closing stages, but Gannon’s men managed to hold on to earn a replay.

The best chance the Glovers came to a winner came on 88 minutes when Skiverton saw a header comfortably saved by fon Williams.