Gannon's Wembley jinx is over as Stockport reach League One

It pulsated with all things positive as Stockport County and their manager Jim Gannon finally won a game at Wembley. Gannon spent 10 years at Edgeley Park and lost at Wembley a heartbreaking four times as a County player.

Future prospect: Liam Dickinson scores County's third goal

By earning promotion to League One, Gannon's enterprising side condemned Rochdale to a 34th successive season in the lowest division of the Football League.

Yet there was nothing fourth class about this match. Controlled possession, imaginative tactics, memorable goals and no players suffering from cramp in spite of a sodden Wembley pitch.

Perhaps the Football League ought to have the League Two showdown as a finale every season.

For Gannon, the victory was especially sweet. He said: "The Wembley appearances were part of an incredible journey I had with this club in the 1990s, but the Wembley experience is nothing without winning.

"The game was a fantastic advert for football in the lower leagues and I hope those watching on TV have a deeper respect of the division now. It's not about old pros seeing out their days, it's about young managers creating systems that allow young players to express themselves and be nurtured in the right environment."

Gannon is true to his word. The average age of yesterday's Stockport team was just 21 and his players embraced the occasion with relish. Even when Rory McArdle rose highest at the near post to nod Rochdale ahead after 23 minutes, there was no hint of panic in Gannon's youngsters.

His two holding midfielders, Gary Dicker and Paul Turnbull, superbly orchestrated their comeback. The platform they created allowed Liam Dickinson and Anthony Pilkington in particular to showcase their potential once a Tommy Rowe cross had been turned past his own keeper by the unfortunate Nathan Stanton to bring Stockport level.

Four minutes into the second half, Michael Rose sent over a curling cross, the flight path of which fooled everyone except Pilkington, a teenager for another 10 days. Instead of continuing towards goal, he simply checked his momentum, stood his ground and redirected the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

The 22-year-old Dickinson was plucked from Unibond League side Woodley Sports for £2,000, but his 21st goal of the season gave a hint of the talent that may outgrow Stockport.

A wonderfully searching ball from Turnbull fell perfectly into the stride of Pilkington, who poked the ball first time on to Dickinson. His instant, sweeping finish was low, true and devastating.

A stunning strike from Adam Rundle 13 minutes from time renewed the faith of the Dale fans in the 35,715 crowd. A clearing header dropped to Rundle, who let fly with a blistering volley into the corner.

There was to be no equaliser, though, and the wait must continue for a club who have won promotion on only one occasion in their League history.

Proud manager Keith Hill insisted: "That history has nothing to do with me. Mine only goes back a year and a half and we have to be able to build on this. Today shouldn't be the best moment we've had in football."

ROCHDALE (4-4-1-1): Lee 7; D'Laryea 6 (Buckley 74min, 6), Stanton 5, McArdle 7, Kennedy 6; Higginbotham 6 (Muirhead 46, 6), Jones 9, Ramsden 7, Rundle 8; Dagnall 7; Le Fondre 6 (Howe 57, 5). Booked: Stanton.

STOCKPORT (4-2-3-1): Logan 6; Smith 6, McNulty 6, Owen 6, Rose 7; Dicker 9, Turnbull 8; Pilkington 8, Gleeson 7 (McSweeney 75, 6), Rowe 7; Dickinson 8 (McNeil 90). Booked: McSweeney, Logan.

Referee: Stuart Attwell.

Man of the match: Gary Dicker.