Preston Grasshoppers leave it late to beat Stockport

Oliver Carter scored a late try as Stockport were beaten 19-18 by Preston Grasshoppers at Headlands Road in National League 2 North.

Port were 6-3 down at half-time and fell further behind when Kilian Wallace went over just after the break. The hosts responded brilliantly by scoring two tries of their own through Elliot Fletcher and Andy Fuller in a wonderful five minute spell.

Preston’s John Embelton and Port’s Josh Longmore exchanged penalties before Carter pounced on a defensive mistake from Stockport to snatch the victory with four minutes to go.

"I’m extremely disappointed," said Stockport coach Matthew Bebbington.

"We played the way we want to play for about a five minute spell in the second half and scored two tries. We just aren’t doing it consistently enough.

"Mistakes which seem insignificant at the time come back to bite you and it’s happened again. We are four games in now and we have said we need to learn quickly. Its time to stop learning and putting the things we are practicing into action.

"We should have won today. We shouldn’t have been in touching distance."

The injury-hit Stockport, who are without Chris Roddy, Will Batterbury, Tom Oben and Myles Hall, are still searching for their first win of the season, but despite losing so narrowly, this was once again an improved performance from the Red, Green and Whites.

Stockport opened the scoring through the boot of Longmore after the visitors had missed an early penalty of their own.

Preston had the better of the ball in the opening exchanges and hit straight back as Embelton kicked over two penalties to give the Grasshoppers the lead after 20 minutes.

The hosts were still producing some handling errors and mistakes, but ended the half the stronger and were putting pressure on Preston.

Joe Cantwell was looking to use his pace to fashion chances whilst the forwards were winning scrums and lineouts to keep territory.

And Port nearly crossed over on the stroke of half-time. Centre Mike Kaciubskyj (who returned from injury) was putting in a fine display and after a good lineout by the hosts, the number 12 was held up due to good defensive work by the visitors.

After a positive first 40, Stockport found themselves eight points behind 10 minutes into the second period and like so often this season, it was a Port mistake which cost them.

Stockport had possession 10 metres from their line, but knocked the ball on. From the resulting scrum, Wallace scored in the corner after good work down the blindside.

The hosts needed a quick response and got one immediately through a try of their own. After good phase play by Stockport, Cantwell broke the Preston line and was backed up well by flanker Kieran Hibbs.

Hibbs then flicked the ball to the on rushing Fletcher who picked a gap and sprinted over the line after a brilliant flowing move from left to right by the Stockport backs to make the score 11-8.

Preston looked rattled and moments later, Stockport were ahead. Longmore timed a pass to perfection to allow centre George Smith (on his home debut), to burst from the line.

After great breakdown play by the Stockport pack, (in particular David Hopkins), the ball went left to right after an excellent diagonal run by full-back Jonny Edwards and he found Cantwell.

The winger then popped the ball to his left to find Fuller and the skipper crossed over in corner. Longmore added the extras and Port had a four point lead just after the hour mark.

Preston then gathered themselves and after another Stockport mistake reduced the deficit to a single point through the boot of Embelton. The hosts answered straight back after winning a lineout through Alistair Green which resulted in a penalty. Longmore pinged it over for 18-14.

It looked as if Port were on their way to their first victory of the season, but with 76 minutes on the clocked the game turned around.

Carter produced a lovely chip over the Stockport defence and they just couldn’t deal with it. He then capitalised on another Stockport error to round off a great solo move and steal the points from the hosts’ grasp.

Stockport’s next match is against second-placed Hull Ionians at Brantingham Park next Saturday, kick-off 3pm.