Stockport beat Morecambe to return to League One

League Two leaders County, who have been in the top three since early October, needed only a point to guarantee going up and took the lead after eight minutes through Isaac Olaofe’s thumping close-range volley.

Olaofe came close to a second before being forced off with injury but the Hatters pressed on and Fraser Horsfall’s powerful header from Antoni Sarcevic’s in-swinging corner in first-half stoppage time kept the party mood in full swing.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Callum Camps forced smart saves out of Shrimps goalkeeper Archie Mair as County continued to swarm forward after the break against their dispirited visitors who failed to have a shot on target with a late Joel Senior shot flying wide.

Joyous scenes then greeted the final whistle as the home side confirmed their place back in League One for the first time since their relegation from the third tier in 2009-10.

• ‘Big prize’ ahead of Stockport, says Challinor

From League One to non-league and back – Stockport’s eventful 16-year journey

It has been quite a round trip for Stockport County since the last time they won promotion to League One in 2008.

The Hatters sealed their place in the third tier 16 years ago having beaten near neighbours Rochdale in that season’s League Two play-off final at Wembley.

But financial issues, administration and poor form meant those highs were followed by despairing lows.

Successive relegations saw them drop from League One to the National League by 2012 and a further relegation to regional football followed soon after.

County’s stay in the National League North lasted six seasons, during which time they lost their full-time status.

The fightback began in earnest shortly before the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the football pyramid, however.

Local businessman Mark Stott bought the club in January 2020, cleared its debts and prophesied a brighter future for the club.

First came the return to professionalism, then a return to the EFL was targeted, and in stepped serial promotion winner Dave Challinor, tasked with guiding the club out of the National League.

Propped up with a formidable playing squad, Challinor won the fifth tier title, having battled against the financial power of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham.

A second successive promotion almost followed as the club reached the League Two play-off final in their first season back in the EFL, but unlike 2008, glory was not to be as they were defeated on penalties by Carlisle United.

The hangover from the agony of losing that final weaved its way into this season as they won just once in their opening eight games.

But a stunning run of 12 consecutive victories before Christmas – just short of what would have been a record-breaking run in the League Two – was the catalyst to them winning promotion this term.

With three promotions in six seasons, Stockport are back where they started after an unenviable journey over the past decade-and-a-half. Where can they go from here?

Analysis – Challinor the ‘promotion king’

BBC Radio Manchester’s Robin Grey

A photo of Stockport’s play-off final defeat to Carlisle last May has been pinned up in the dressing room this season, with manager Dave Challinor using it to spur on his players.

Promotion was the expectation with a big budget and plenty of quality, but County have overcome some hurdles. They only won one of their first six league games.

The first two months of this calendar year saw a mounting injury list and the healthy lead at the top lost.

But ultimately, the record equalling 12-game unbeaten run before Christmas went a long way to securing their place in the third tier for next season.

Challinor is well and truly a promotion king – that’s seven now in 14 years.