Stockport boss Dave Challinor hailed 19-year-old Benony Andresson as the best finisher he has after the forward’s brace inspired a 2-1 comeback win over Blackpool.
Ashley Fletcher put the Seasiders ahead at Edgeley Park, but substitute Andresson’s leveller after the break and late headed winner turned the game around.
The January signing, an Iceland Under-21 international, was one of three half-time changes made by Challinor and the County boss was full of praise for his impact.
He said: “He’s a finisher, we’ve seen that from when he’s come into the club.
“Without putting too much pressure on him, he’s probably the best finisher that we have in the team. That’s a big statement after only being here for the time he has – it’s great for him.
“We just needed some impetus of legs and aggression and front-footedness and we didn’t have that in the first half for whatever reason.
“You then have to make decisions and make changes. Thankfully those decisions have worked and we’ve got ourselves back in the game early which is great.
“To go on and win on the back of conceding the first goal – which is the first time we’ve done it in the league this year – is really important.
“The likelihood is we have to go and do that again between now and the end of the season, so we’ve got to take real positive reinforcement that if we do things in the right way then we can achieve those things.”
Blackpool boss Steve Bruce highlighted two second-half missed chances by Niall Ennis and Fletcher striking a post in the first half as key moments which cost his side dearly.
He said: “We haven’t taken the big chances that came our way. In the first half I thought we were the best team by a mile.
“In that particular moment we were dominant. They’re the fine margins of why we’ve lost. It could have been 2-0 and probably game out of sight.
“I knew Stockport would ask more questions of us than they did in the first (half), they made a tactical change and fair play to them, but we’ve had the big opportunities to win the match and we haven’t taken them.
“At this level in big games like this at the top end, you have to take the chances that come our way and unfortunately Niall has missed them.
“He’s been prolific in front of goal for us and if there’s anybody you want them to fall to, it’s him. We’re disappointed that he hasn’t taken one, of course we are.”
