Ten-man Walsall shocked promotion-chasing Stockport with a narrow 1-0 win at the Banks's Stadium.
Walsall send high-flying Stockport crashing
Ten-man Walsall shocked promotion-chasing Stockport with a narrow 1-0 win at the Banks's Stadium.
It was only County's second away defeat of the season and they were denied on numerous occasions by home keeper Clayton Ince who was inspirational.
Walsall managed to hang on to a 64th-minute goal scored by defender Rhys Weston even after having skipper Michael Ricketts sent off three minutes later for his second bookable offence - a high tackle that floored Gary Dicker.
Weston's goal came when he darted in at the far post to head home a well-placed corner by Chris Palmer.
Stockport played the better football throughout but their finishing was disappointing, although they will point to numerous saves by Ince - one in the 17th minute from Anthony Pilkington and a brilliant effort in the 57th minute when he somehow reached and deflected a point-blank drive from Dominic Blizzard.
County continued to hammer away at the home defence late on and Ince did well again to save twice from Pilkington and then keep out another goalbound effort from James Tunnicliffe in the last minute of normal time before Jabo Ibehre shot into the side netting when he could have added a second for Walsall.
