Jim Gannon's Stockport made it fifth-time lucky at Wembley but were made to sweat in their 3-2 victory over local rivals Rochdale in the League Two play-off final.

County manager Gannon, 10 years a player at Edgeley Park, had been a Wembley loser four times with Stockport, who clinched their first promotion in 11 years.

The Hatters fell behind to Rochdale defender Rory McArdle's 23rd-minute strike, but once Nathan Stanton's own goal hauled Stockport level, Gannon's side seized control.

Anthony Pilkington headed County into a 49th-minute lead and Liam Dickinson fired home a third before Dale winger Adam Rundle set up a nerve-jangling finale with a 77th-minute volley.

Gannon admitted some of his young side "are destined for great things" after the match.

He said: "I hope that we become a role model for all clubs at this level.

"Over the past two years we have brought through a group of young players who, given the right circumstances, could play really good, effective football.

"It would be nice to keep them together but some of them are destined for great things.

"We have always had the philosophy that if the right offer comes in we would allow them to discuss it with those clubs."

Rochdale boss Keith Hill admitted his side had come off second best but insisted they would win promotion and finally climb out of the bottom tier.

Next season will be their 35th consecutive year in the fourth division but Hill remains deeply ambitious to end that streak.

He said: "I can have no complaints.

"It was a good contest but they dominated possession after they equalised.

"The second goal was the killer because I knew how good Stockport are at defending leads and they played very well in the second half.

"But as a squad we deserve credit for how far we have come in a short space of time.

"There is no failure but we have to build on this. We have had a successful season but we have got to improve next year and win promotion."

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