A defeat at the hands of Mansfield made the alarm bells ring in the ears of Spencer Fearn and Lord Snape as Jim Gannon was dismissed just hours after another defeat for Stockport County.
Many fans were unhappy with the dismissal of Jim Gannon, most reacting by calling for Lord Snapes’ head to roll.
County had a 10 day rest since a defeat at Cambridge United and came into the match with a considerably lighter squad after more budget slashing meant Jim Gannon had a squad of around 18 professionals to work with.
A new loan keeper, paid for by the fans, came in from Chesterfield and made his debut in goals.
Andy Halls returned from injury, whilst Sean Newton came back into the team at full back following suspension. Joe Connor kept his place in midfield despite calls for the skipper to be dropped. Danny Hattersley returned upfront.
County started the brighter of the two teams and Hattersley missed an early chance to give County the lead with a close range header going over the bar from a Whitehead corner.
And when County broke, Andy Halls recovered well to gain advantage of an earlier foul and put in a great cross which the Mansfield defender could only deal with by using his hands, the referee awarded a penalty.
Unusually Sean Newton did not take the spot kick, with striker Danny Hattersley stepping up to take it instead. Hattersley had to replace the ball on the spot as it rolled forward due to the state of surface, and many could see little confidence in Hattersley putting the ball in the back of the net. He stepped up with purpose but struck straight wide of the left hand side of the post.
Junior Daniel made County pay on 38 minutes as he struck home a free kick, giving Mansfield a 1-0 lead.
Lee Stevenson prodded home from close distance to make it 2-0, and then at the end of a devastating ten minute spell Mansfield got a penalty and Green fired home to make it 3-0 and pretty much game over.
Many County fans had enough and left at half time, but this was no reflection on Jim Gannon for many who are not happy with the backing and support he receives from the board.
County got a consolation late on through Alex Meaney but in reality not much matters about last night now, it is all about the next few days as far as Stockport County fans are concerned.
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Hattersley’s penalty summed up the low confidence of the team for me last night. I like the keeper, his left foot can really launch that ball into the final third. He was pretty loud shouting at the brittle back 4.
As for their first. It was obvious the Mansfield player was going to aim for the two man Mansfield hole in our wall. That could have been defended better. Goal 2… just how far was their overlapping player allowed to run without any interference? And that push for their penalty. Pah. Pathetic display. My only plus point was finding my skiing thermal undies which kept the cold at bay. All in all a depressing game topped off by news later that night. And I watched all this sober!