A valiant Saints side bowed out of the FA Cup at high-riding EFL 1 Stockport County after an impressive second half come-back that threatened the shock of the round.

Already missing the injured Danny Newton, Scott Pollock and Zak Lilly and cup-tied loan players, the late withdrawal of Morgan Roberts was another blow for Gavin Cowan’s side, naming just four on a possible bench of nine substitutes.

While Matt Lowe’s early goal-bound effort was scrambled away by Corey Addai in the County goal, the visitors were overwhelmed by a rampant County side in the opening stages falling two goals behind as first Will Collar on 15 minutes and then Kyle Wootton’s header three minutes later put the hosts in charge. Further chances could have put the cup tie beyond Brackley by the break.

Instead Saints came out for the second half and took the game to The Hatters. A 45 yard back-pass by Callum Connelly on 55 minutes beat Addai into the net chasing back in a pantomime moment but one that breathed belief into the team and lifted the away supporters.

Tommy O’Sullivan’s shot was deflected for a corner, Connor Hall was put through before last ditch covering defending earned another corner before Lowe’s close range shot was pushed away by Addai and Alfie Bates fired in from a tight angle for the equaliser. But the joy was short-lived as an off-side flag was raised much to County’s relief and possible surprise.

Stockport also continued to create chances at the other end with Ibou Touray heading just wide and Jonny Maxted saving superbly one-handed from Callum Camps before substitute Tanto Olaofe slid in on 86 minutes to finish from Odin Bailey’s break-away ending Brackley’s charge.

“It took us a while to get to grips with them in the first half but the second half performance took us so close to dreamland,” Cowan said. “Countless times we felt it could have gone our way today. The performance in the second half was really commendable. The way the players dealt with the injuries and the loss of another player just five minutes before kick-off showed great character. We were very close.”

Brackley Town:  Maxted, Carline, Lyttle, Dean, Craig, Lowe, Bates, Byrne, Hall, Donawa (Calder 77), O’Sullivan (Abbey 86).   Subs unused:  Cross, Worby.

Stockport County: Addai, Touray, Horsfall, Camps, Southam-Hales (Fiorini 71), Collar (Olaofe 46), Pye, Connolly, Wootton (Fevrier 46), Norwood (Adaramola 71), Bailey. Subs unused: Hinchliffe, Mingi, Mellon, Rydel, Gardner.

Referee: Simon Mather Assistants: Kenwyn Hughes and Johnathon Bickerdike 4th official: Jonathan Maskrey

Attendance:   5637 (away 395)