There were two changed to the XI that overcame Abbey Hey last weekend, with Luke Smith and Will Procter taking the place of Oscar Wright and Matt Van Wyk.

Before the game, a minute's silence took place for long time supporter Tony Carefoot, who sadly passed away this week.

It was beautifully observed.

Rest in peace, Tony.

An early chance for Town came down the right, when Josh Ashe managed to round the 'keeper from a tight angle but his effort could only find the side netting.

Coar connected with a cross from Smith moments later.

The defender's initial header was pushed back out by the Stockport 'keeper, only for the youngster to head the rebound into the back of the net.

Town looked for a quickfire second, as Jack Anderton was denied by close range by Stockport 'keeper Joshua Schofield.

Another defender almost scored for Town just before the 20th minute, with Joshua Muir glancing a header just wide from an Anderton corner.

Liam Atkinson saw a close range effort blocked after working his way into the penalty area, before Ashe tried his luck from 25 yards but saw his effort sail over.

For all the early Longridge dominance, Stockport began to get into the game just before half time.

Defender Jack Atkinson fired wide from the left, before goalkeeper Schofield had to deny Town's Atkinson from in a one-on-one as Town broke.

However the visitors got their reward, as Francis Church found himself in behind the Town defence and lashed it past a helpless Charlie Brier.

Coar came close to another goal, as he headed an Anderton free kick into Schofield's arms on the brink of the break.

As we got underway for half time, an injured Smith made way for new boy Yuvi Dewan, who joins us from Fleetwood Town.

Town then possibly the worst start to the second 45, as Ashe saw red for a reckless challenge on half-way just five minutes in.

As a result, Lee Ashcroft went to his bench with Oscar Wright taking the place of Procter.

The substitute struck the crossbar moments later after connecting with Leighton Hewitt's cross.

With ten minutes left, Stockport saw a goal disallowed, after Joshua Fowles stabbed home a rebound at the back post, but the offside flag promptly raised.

Atkinson would then be frustrated again by Schofield, with the Stockport goalkeeper denying the forward in another one-on-one.

Town then had a decent spell of possession following this, however 25 yard efforts from Muir and Anderton would both come to nothing, with the first flying over the bar and the second rolling into the arms of the 'keeper.

However, the second Stockport goal would come in the 85th minute.

Substitute Rhys Kelly headed home a deep cross to towards the back post, to put the visitors ahead.

In the dying stages, ten man Town made a decent fist of trying for an equaliser.

With the ball launched forward, only for Atkinson to be maliciously fouled off the ball as he made the run forward.

This went unpunished, as Atkinson let his man know exactly what he thought of it, but the scuffle didn't last long.

Town managed to win a free kick in the 95th minute after Dewan was brought down on the edge of the box.

Anderton took it quickly but McLean's first time effort was blocked, with the referee blowing his full time whistle shortly after.

Thank you for your support on a difficult day.

We go again on Tuesday night away at Barnoldswick Town.

We return home on Saturday 14th February when we host Prestwich Heys.

Speaking after the game, assistant manager Charlie Russell echoed the feeling of disappointment in the dressing room.

"We're disappointed not to come away with a point from the game.

"We played really well, I think we were the better team for the majority of the game.

"The ten men does make an impact, they started to have a little bit more of the ball, we dug in deep but we just couldn't get over the line.

"We'll recover right, look forward to Tuesday and get back on the horse because we won't be staying down too long that's for sure."

You can watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMt7FPJJGno

Once again, thank you for your support today.

We go again.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals

Longridge: Coar (5')

Stockport Town: Church (42'), Kelly (85')

The Teams

Longridge: Brier, Hewitt, Coar, Muir, McLean, Fletcher, Smith (Dewan 46'), Ashe, Anderton, Procter (Wright 54'), L.Atkinson

Subs not used: Arrowsmith, Edmundson, Van Wyk

Stockport Town: Schofield, J.Atkinson (Mallinson 86'), Padden (Harvey 30'), Cole, Bent, Benson-Brewer, Monaghan, Walsh (Kelly 78'), Barugh, Camara, Church (Kattah 89')