Town’s youth team earned a hard-fought point against an in-form Stockport County side after Curtis Manyika’s second-half goal was cancelled out by a late long-range strike at Cheapside.
The visitors arrived in North East Lincolnshire having won all nine of their league fixtures in the North West, and they controlled large spells of the contest with their quality in possession.
However, Town’s back line stood firm throughout the first half to keep Stockport at bay, while the Young Mariners created a couple of half-chances at the other end but were unable to find the breakthrough before the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern before Town produced an excellent counter-attacking move to take the lead on the hour mark. Kristian Catchpole won possession on the edge of his own box and found Noah Hutton, whose inch-perfect cross was emphatically finished by Manyika.
Stockport continued to push for an equaliser and found one with 10 minutes remaining, a superb long-range effort ensuring the points were shared.
FIRST HALF
Stockport began on the front foot, moving the ball well and enjoying plenty of possession as they looked to extend their impressive league record.
The visitors found it difficult to break down a resolute Town defence, however, with the Young Mariners remaining organised and disciplined to limit clear opportunities.
Town looked to threaten on the counter and managed to create a couple of half-chances of their own, but they lacked the final touch to turn those openings into a goal.
Despite Stockport’s control of possession, the hosts held firm and the sides went into half-time level at 0-0.
SECOND HALF
The visitors continued to dominate the ball after the restart, but Town remained patient and waited for their opportunity to strike.
That moment arrived on the hour mark when the Young Mariners produced a clinical counter-attack. Catchpole regained possession on the edge of his own penalty area before finding Hutton, who delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box.
MANYIKA met the delivery and powered the ball home to give Town the lead, capping an excellent team move.
Stockport responded by increasing the pressure as they searched for a way back into the game, with Town working hard to protect their advantage.
The visitors eventually found an equaliser in the 80th minute, a superb strike from distance restoring parity and ensuring the points were shared.
Town defended resolutely for the remainder of the contest to secure a deserved draw against a Stockport side who had started the league campaign in outstanding form.
Town: Hall, Binks, Pratt, Catchpole, Edwards, Hutton, Sharp, Horsman, Jack, Booth, Peterson.
Subs: Roberts, Neagu, Manyika, Chisholm, Currie.
You can watch the match highlights here:
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