By Nathan Jackson
May 26 2008

Lincoln City won't be going to Edgeley Park next season after the Hatters won a goal filled Playoff Final against Rochdale. Dale took the lead before three goals from Stockport, Keith Hill's men did pull one back 15 minutes from time but couldn't find an equaliser and they will have to spent a 35th straight year in the 4th tier. The game started out nervously but it was Rochdale who had the first glimmer of an opportunity to score in the 4^th minute but they wasted a throw in deep into the Stockport end. Stockport won a free kick about 30 yards out following a sustained amount of pleasure but Rose was caught in an offside position. The men from Edgeley Park were certainly having the more possession but not really going anywhere with it.

Dagnall did well in the 14^th minute to win a header in the box, unfortunately there was no-one there to benefit and Logan easily claimed. Dickinson had the game's first meaningful shot on 18 minutes, but his 25 yard effort was blocked by the defender. Dickinson continued to be the only player really interested in scoring when he shot wide from the edge of the box.

Virtually everyone in the ground thought that Rochdale had scored against the run of play when Dagnall's effort was deflected into the side netting. But they did take the lead from the resulting corner when McArdle headed in at the near post. Le Fondre tried to make it 2 within a minute but his effort curled wide.

Stockport gained a free kick about 25 yards out when Dickinson was fouled. It was a great kick but went just wide of the target. Rochdale gained a free kick of their own just after the half hour but Logan easily dealt with it. The resulting ball brought a corner for Stockport and a clever ball into the box saw Nathan Stanton score an own goal with his hands.

The game slowed down from this point onwards and it wasn't exactly a great advert for League 2 football. The half time whistle went with no other chances after Stanton's own goal.

It was 2-1 to Stockport within 3 minutes of the second half when Pilkington's stooped header found it's way in the net via the bar following a cross from Rose. A Rochdale corner failed to trouble the Stockport defence before a Le Fondre header down in the box wasn't latched onto by a Rochdale attacker.

It was another slow half and it wasn't until the hour mark that the next chance came along, this time it was Jones shooting wide from 35 yards. Stockport then made it 3-1 on 66 minutes when Dickinson scored from an acute angle following a Stockport break away.

A quiet 10 minutes were then woken up by a stunning volley from 18 yards from Rundle to make it 3-2. The Rochdale onslaught was on but they were finding it hard to get chances in on goal. Rochdale had a mild penalty shout 5 minutes from time when Dagnall went down in the box.

Rowe hit a free kick straight at Lee. Buckley shot over from 25 yards for Rochdale but that was the only real chance they had attempted since scoring. The situation was getting desperate for Rochdale heading into added on time but they couldn't get an equaliser and Stockport County were promoted to League One.