Stockport County have missed out on promotion to League One after suffering penalty shootout heartbreak against Carlisle United at Wembley Stadium.
An Isaac Olaofe deflected cross had given Dave Challinor's men a deserved lead in the League Two playoff final. However, Omari Patrick equalised with a well placed effort as County were denied victory in normal time.
Ryan Rydel was the unlucky man who missed his penalty to give Carlisle the advantage in the shootout. Taylor Charters would win the game for the Cumbrians, sending Ben Hinchliffe the wrong way.
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The Hatters started the brighter of the two sides at the home of English football and deservedly had the lead at the break. Olaofe twisted and turned his man before producing a cross that ricocheted off Jon Mellish and looped into the Carlisle goal.
Just over 10 minutes after the restart, Stockport should have been 2-0 up. Chris Hussey's floated cross into the centre was met by Akil Wright unmarked but his powerful header went agonisingly wide of the post.
Dave Challinor's men were made to rue the miss just six minutes before second-half stoppage time. A cross from Joel Senior was deflected out to the edge of the area where substitute Patrick was on hand to slot the ball past Hinchliffe.
The tide of the match had firmly changed by this stage with Carlisle looking the most likely to score as we entered extra-time. However, Ryan Croasdale went some way to changing this as the first big chance of the added period saw his half volley deflected for a corner.
Jack Stretton then stung the palms of Tomas Holy as his long range effort was tipped over shortly after the mini interval. Hinchliffe produced a moment of magic with less than ten minutes remaining when he denied Kristian Dennis' flicked header when it looked destined to go in.
Penalties followed in front of the Stockport end at Wembley but it was Rydel who was the unlucky man to miss the all important second spot kick. County now face another season in League Two but will be proud of their efforts in their first season back in the EFL.
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