Stockport County claim League Two title after 5-2 victory over Notts County despite late comeback.

Written by Joe Booth

Paddy Madden performed exceptionally in the first half, scoring a hat-trick and being awarded the match ball.

Stockport emerged as the champions of League Two after triumphing over Notts County at Meadow Lane on Tuesday.

Notts County, having won their last two matches, aimed to continue their winning streak and conclude the season on a high note.

Aaron Nemane initiated Notts County’s attack with a delivery to Macaulay Langstaff, whose first-time shot missed the post by a narrow margin.

Stockport employed a five-three-two formation and prioritized set-pieces, as demonstrated by Fraser Horsefall’s free header from a corner, which hit the County bar.

Notts County had been warned about playing around at the back, and they were made to pay the price when Paddy Madden intercepted the ball on the edge of their box, putting the visitors ahead.

Stockport doubled their lead when Madden scored his second goal of the night from a penalty kick after Dan Crowley’s handball.

In the 40th minute, Madden completed his hat-trick and scored Stockport’s third goal of the match, beating Ashby-Hammond at his near post, granting the away team absolute control of the game.

Notts forced Ben Hinchliffe to make the first save of the night by pushing away Langstaff’s shot after a misplaced pass from Callum Camps.

Stockport scored their fourth goal just five minutes after the restart, Antoni Sarcevic beat the offside trap cut onto his right foot and bent it into the far corner.

Notts were having the chance Stockport were displacement on the edge of the area allowing Will Randall to shoot but his first-time effort was high of the crossbar.

Notts were able to score shortly after Langstaff was found unmarked in the area taking two touches before finding the bottom corner and denying Stockport a clean sheet.

Notts scored their second goal when Dan Crowley curled a shot into the top-right corner, giving the home team a chance to make a comeback.

Kyle Cameron’s foul on Louie Barry led to a second penalty kick. However, Barry missed the shot, hitting the outside of the post. The score remained the same

Stockport ended the Nott’s hope of a comeback when Ethan Pye headed in Stockport fifth of the night after Notts failed to deal with a visitor’s corner.

Stockport held on to take all three points and claim to League Two Title.