Stockport County 1-1 Hartlepool United: Hatters miss out on top three after draw

Hartlepool goalkeeper Ben Killip put in a brilliant performance on his first appearance since January

Stockport County missed out on automatic promotion from League Two following a final-day draw with relegated Hartlepool United.

The Hatters, who needed to win to have a chance of leapfrogging Northampton Town and moving into third place, must settle for a play-off spot.

They went ahead at Edgeley Park after Connor Jennings barged over Callum Camps, who calmly netted the resulting penalty six minutes before the break.

But Pools equalised in the second half when Callum Cooke fired in from 25 yards out, and Stockport could not find a way past the inspired Ben Killip, who pulled off a string of saves before keeping out a 95th-minute penalty from Camps.

Northampton held on to win 1-0, meaning Stockport's hopes of returning to League One for the first time since 2009-10 will now be decided in the play-offs.

Dave Challinor's side won the National League title last season and still have the chance to seal back-to-back promotions, with Salford City their opponents in the semi-finals.

The first leg will be on Saturday at the Peninsula Stadium (19:45 BST), with the return match on 20 May.

Returning Killip frustrates County

Killip, making his first appearance since 28 January, gathered an early effort from Camps and pulled of a stunning double save to deny Myles Hippolyte and Isaac Olaofe.

By that time Northampton had gone ahead at Tranmere Rovers.

Stockport thought they had taken the lead when Fraser Horsfall, who had earlier seen a header cleared off the line by Matthew Dolan, hooked in from close range after Killip had spilled a corner kick.

Following Hartlepool protests and a consultation with one of his assistants, referee Tom Reeves ruled out the goal for a foul Killip by Horsfall.

Jack Stretton's firm shot was palmed behind by Killip at his near post before the breakthrough came following a clumsy challenge by striker Jennings, with Camps guiding his penalty into the top right-hand corner.

However, Stockport faded after the break and Cooke equalised with a curling first-time strike.

The Hatters pushed forward in search of a winner, but Killip brilliantly tipped a half-volley from Paddy Madden on to the crossbar, rushed off his line to block Kyle Knoyle's low strike and then palmed away a fierce shot from Camps in stoppage time.

Stockport were presented with a final chance to win it in stoppage time when Reeves adjudged that a header from Madden hit the arm of Dolan and pointed to the spot for the second time.

Camps stepped up once again but this time his effort was too low, and Killip dived to his right to palm the ball away.