The Coca Cola Leaue 2 Play Off Final
Stockport 3 - 2 Rochdale
Attendance: 35,715
The Football League 2 Play Off Final - a Greater Manchester derby between Stockport and Rochdale - kicked off at 3pm on a very wet Bank Holiday Monday at Wembley. Despite the weather the fans were in good voice as they watched their teams battle it out on the Wembley Pitch.
It was Rochdale who opened the scoring with a goal from Rory McArdle in the 22nd minute but this early lead was short lived when Nathan Stanton diverted a cross into his ownn net giving Stockport their equaliser as they headed towards half time.
The second half got away to a lively statrt - no sooner had play resumed when Anthony Pilkington put the Hatters 2-1 up in the 48th minute after a superb header that went in off the crossbar.
Liam Dickinson then right footed the ball into the bottom right of the goal from 12 yards out putting Stockport 3-1 up. Just when it looked like Stockport were comfortable of victory a superb volley from Rochdale's Adam Rundle put Rochdale back on track and ensured and tight and dramatic run up to the final whistle.
But it wasn't enough to change the scoreline. When the referee blew his whistle it was the Stockport fans whose cheers echoed around Wembley as they celebrated promotion to League 1 in what was the most exciting play off of the weekend.