Ben Hinchliffe celebrates during Port Vale vs. Stockport County, 27th October 2025

Monday 27th October saw Stockport County with the opportunity to breathe some rarified air – the chance to go to the top of League One. All they needed was a victory over struggling Port Vale, on a wet Monday night in Stoke. Conditions weren’t ideal, but would County be able to rise to the occasion?

Absolutely yes.

Goals from Nathan Lowe, Jack Diamond and Kyle Wootton saw The Hatters go in at half time 3-0 up. Lowe’s goal in particular will have been celebrated in other parts of the town too as he’s on loan from Vale’s town-rivals Stoke City. Diamond and Wootton added to Lowe’s bullet header with some lovely finishes of their own.

County have occasionally not lived up to the pressure – recent playoff defeats point to that – but there were no nerves in the rain tonight.

Stockport County – top of the league!

Fans celebrate as County go top of the league after their victory; Port Vale vs. Stockport County, 27th October 2025