Stockport County will take a one-goal lead into Wednesday’s second leg against Stevenage after Ben Osborn scored in the 94th minute to seal a 1-0 win at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday. The late goal gave Stockport control of the tie and left Stevenage needing a response at Edgeley Park on Wednesday, 13 May.
The first leg was tight throughout, with just two shots on target for each side, but Stockport still found the decisive moment after a defensive mix-up. Stevenage boss Alex Revell said the goal did not really change anything, though it leaves his side with more work to do after a match in which they were forced to chase the game late.
The numbers from the first meeting point to why Stockport are in the stronger position. They had 60.6% possession, won 10 corners to Stevenage’s four, and have won the corner battle in all three meetings between the teams this season. At home, Stockport have won 10 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, a record that gives them a clear platform as they return to Edgeley Park.
Stevenage’s task is made harder by their recent away form. They have won only two of their last 13 away matches since Boxing Day and have not scored more than once in any of those games. More broadly, they have netted one or fewer goals in 13 of their last 14 fixtures, and 11 of those matches have finished under 2.5 goals, a run that has repeatedly left them short of the scoring burst they now need.
The tie is part of the 2025/26 League One playoff semifinals, and Wednesday’s match is now straightforward in one sense: Stockport need only protect what they have, while Stevenage must find a way through against a side that has already controlled the first leg. The late winner from Osborn may not have settled the contest, but it has changed the terms of it, and Stockport go home with the sharper edge.
