With Euan Holden granted 'compassionate' leave due to a family illness, James Gannon brought in Ryan McCann to the team that finished the game against Celtic on Saturday, with Danny Rowe dropping into left back.

The first chance of the game fell to County on 3 minutes as McCann's cross found Tom Elliott in the six yard box. The big striker's glancing header was well saved by Jan Budtz in the home goal.

The Hatters had begun the match lively and in the 5th minute Sean McConville skipped passed two defenders and fired just passed the post.

Celtic's first attempt came on 10 minutes as Craig Hobson tried his luck from distance. Matt Glennon made good use of the ball to find Elliott who in turn fed Rowe. The little full back played in a lovely ball to McConville who slipped inside his marker and slotted passed Budtz to put County in front.

Celtic striker Lloyd Ellams found himself in the referee's book after a late lunge on Joe Edwards on 13 minutes. The home side earned a corner on 18 mins as O'Donnell blocked Ellams goal bound shot.

Three minutes later Rowe blocked a Connor Jennings effort on edge of box, with Glennon making a save from the young Celtic striker on 30 minutes.

Carl Piergianni was booked for foul on Jennings on 34 minutes as the Celtic striker began to make his mark on the game, his effort from the free kick going just wide.

The home side, pushing for an equaliser, came close again on 43 minutes as Joel Bembo-Leta found Ellams who shot wide of Glennon's goal.

HT Stalybridge Celtic 0 Stockport County 1 (McConville)

The Hatters began the second half on the attack with Chris Blackburn's well struck shot from 25 yards being well saved by Budtz in opening minute.

And County almost grabbed a second goal on 52 minutes as firstly McConville's effort was saved by Budtz with Elliott's follow up shot blocked for corner.

McConville and Rowe both had shots saved as the Hatters looked to put the game beyond the home side.

From another shot, Budtz used his long kick to find Greg Wilkinson in space on the right, and although the midfielder's first touch appeared to take him too wide, he unleashed a rocket of a shot that flashed passed Glennon to level the scores against the run of play.

The goal spurred Celtic on, Stephen Brogan sent in a 20 yard shot which sailed wide, Ellams forced Glennon into another save, the County keeper tipping the shot around the post.

Craig Hobson headed over the bar and Brogan went close with two free kicks as the home side suddenly looked the better of the two sides.

As the game drifted into stoppage time Ellams lifted a pass over the County defence to Jennings who deftly clipped the ball into the goal to clinch the tie for his team.

FT: Stalybridge Celtic 2 Stockport County 1 (McConville)

Starting XI: Glennon, Edwards, Halls, O'Donnell, Rowe (Cole), Blackburn, Piergianni, McConville, Nolan (Sheridan), Elliott, McCann (Darkwah).

Subs: Halstead, Cole, Sheridan, Darkwah, Gritton.

ATT: 1,149 (535)