Stockport boss Dave Challinor says his side will be going all out to win the League Two title after securing promotion with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morecambe at Edgeley Park.
Last season’s play-off final losers secured elevation with three games remaining with goals from Isaac Olaofe and Fraser Horsfall earning them the three points.
Challinor said: “This was a tough game and I thought we were a bit sloppy in the first half and it was a bit frustrating.
“But we got into a winning position and got the win and we are now looking forward to Tuesday night because the aim now is to win the league.
“It’s a great feeling to win promotion and see everyone celebrate like they are, especially after the disappointment of losing at Wembley last year. I had a poster at the training ground from that game that I used as motivation for this year and that seemed to work.
“It feels great to get the promotion and it’s fully deserved for the hard work everyone at the club has put in but there is still work to do.”
Stockport enjoyed a fine start as they went ahead after just seven minutes when Olaofe volleyed home Kyle Wootton’s cross-field header from close range after a mistake from Nelson Khumbeni.
The home side dominated possession without creating too many chances until Horsfall was left unmarked at the far post to head home Antoni Sarcevic’s deep corner.
County went close to adding to their score after the break with Callum Camps forcing a smart low save from Archie Mair and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans seeing a shot from the edge of the box deflected wide by Yann Songo’o.
Morecambe looked sharper towards the end of the game but failed to test Ben Hinchliffe’s goal as the home side earned their passage into League One.
Morecambe boss Ged Brannan, who saw his side deducted three points this week after a breach of league rules, said Stockport fully deserved the win.
He said: “We never turned up in the first half today and I was really disappointed with that. I thought we showed a bit more character and belief after the break but it was never enough to get us back in the game.
“Their second goal was a killer for us as it came four minutes into injury time and we have enough experience in the side to avoid that sort of thing happening.
“If we had held on and just been one down we could have had a go in the second half but that was a massive blow for us and we can’t concede goals like that.”