Owls crash at County but will probably still survive

Wednesday's season of disappointment was summed up at Edgeley Park on the weekend as Carlton Palmer's Stockport County levelled a few scores.

Alan Quinn opened the scoring in the 9th minute and he was scorer of the 100th league goal the County defence has let past this season. County are already destined for Division Two football next season, unsuprisingly with a defensive statistic like that against you. The Owls had a chance to secure First Division safety for themselves with a win over the Hatters, but instead left the field to a chorus of boos from their own travelling support, who had turned out in their thousands.

That early goal was about as good as it got for Terry Yorath's men. They ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline, but results elsewhere means that only two freak results next weekend will see the Owls relegated. As expected there were changes to the side that had under performed at home to Nottingham Forest.

Simon Donnelly was dropped from the starting line-up in place for Gerald Sibon to partner Shefki Kuqi, who was returned to his old club for the first time. Derek Geary, dubbed by many as Wednesday's Player of the Year, returned to the line-up as Steven Haslam was moved into midfield. Quinn's 9th minute opener was only his 2nd of the season, and his 8th in over 100 appearances for the Owls.

The young Irishman latched onto a Gerald Sibon pass before firing low past Stockport keeper Andy Dibble. Their lead was to last only a few moments before Palmer's men struck back. The normally reliable Kevin Pressman fumbled a cross straight into the path of striker Aaron Wilbraham, who gladly knocked the ball into the back of the net to draw the scores level.

After that Wednesday never looked likely to go onto win. County were a constant threat to the Owls backline. Geary and Sibon both being denied at the other end by Dibble.

Half-time: Stockport 1-1 Owls

Six minutes after the restart County took the lead. Highly rated young striker Luke Beckett, born in Sheffield, chested down Andrew Welsh's cross before firing past Pressman.

Despite the threat of relegation still luming - Wednesday never looked like a team really that bothered about the result. They came close on a few occasions - Kuqi firing over from 18 yards to the delight of the crowd, whilst Dibble had to be on his toes to turn down a good effort from Paul McLaren.

The Owls pushed forward right at the death in search of an equaliser, but instead conceded another. Karim Fradin's shot came back off the crossbar but that man Beckett was right on hand to grab his second and County's third.

The full time whistle blew and Carlton Palmer, forced to watch the game from the sidelines through suspension, put one over his former employers whilst also avenging their 5-0 thrashing at Hillsborough back in November.

Palmer had dedicated the game to the home support, who he says have been fantastic all season. Terry Yorath meanwhile must be wondering whether he'll still be in this job come next season.