Brackley Town are out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 defeat by League One side Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

Two goals in quick succession by Will Collar and Kyle Wootton gave the hosts the advantage, and although they got a goal back through a Callum Connolly own goal, substitute Tanto Olaofe sealed the game in favour of the Saints’ opponents.

Defeat denied Brackley a chance to reach the FA Cup Third Round for the first time in their history despite their valiant attempts against a side three divisions above them.

The National League North side arrived at Edgeley Park hoping to spring a surprise on a Stockport side who sit fourth in the table after winning promotion last season, if not helped by injuries and cup-tied absences.

Stockport came close early with Wootton seeing one strike miss the target and another blocked, but Brackley then nearly sprung a surprise on their hosts as Corey Addai was forced to deny Matt Lowe after the Brackley man was played through.

Two goals in quick succession however saw control of the game taken by the home side.

The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute. Johnny Maxted in the Brackley goal had saved an initial shot by Odin Bailey, but Stockport maintained pressure and a one-two with Wootton released Collar to score.

The duo then combined again less than three minutes later, as Collar’s cross picked out Wootton, who headed past Maxted.

Stockport could’ve made life more comfortable for themselves, as they created multiple chances only to either fail to beat Maxted or miss the target altogether in the remainder of the first half.

Initially, things continued in the same vein, with Olaofe coming off the bench to head wide just after the break.

But ten minutes into the second half, Brackley were handed a way back in bizarre circumstances. Stockport had won possession back on their right flank inside the Brackley half, with defender Connolly receiving the ball and choosing to send it back to Addai. However, the overhit backpass caught out the Stockport keeper and instead trundled into the back of the net, handing Brackley a goal back.

This saw the game open up. Tommy O’Sullivan had a strike deflected wide and Addai denied Shane Byrne, before Maxted made a flying stop to deny Bailey.

Brackley then briefly thought they’d equalised with just over 10 minutes to go when Alfie Bates fired in from a tight angle after an initial Lowe shot was saved by Addai, only for an offside flag to stop the away side’s euphoria.

The game then got away with them a few moments later when Stockport made it 3-1. Tayo Adaramola picked out Olaofe, who was able to get just enough space to guide the shot home and seal the deal for the visitors, who book their place in the FA Cup’s Third Round draw later today.