Malik Mothersille celebrates his goal for Stockport County against Bolton Wanderers.Getty Images

Malik Mothersille gave Stockport County the lead with a goal just before half-time

Stuart Brennan
BBC Sport England

Malik Mothersille scored on his Stockport County debut to set last season's third-placed team on their way to a winning start to the new League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The home side survived Bolton hitting the post twice through Xavier Simons and Max Conway, but record-signing Mothersille diverted Ollie Norwood's miscued shot home late in the first half and Kyle Wootton headed a second in the 89th minute.

Both of these Greater Manchester teams have promotion ambitions this season and have invested in their squads after Stockport reached the play-offs last season and Bolton finished eighth.

Steven Schumacher's Bolton team settled more quickly to create a host of chances, but Simons crashed a shot against the base of the post, Josh Dacres-Cogley miscued a golden chance from a rehearsed corner routine, and Corey Addai turned Amario Cozier-Duberry's shot round the post as Stockport struggled to contain the visitors' attack.

Mason Burstow was inches away from turning in Cozier-Duberry's cross, and replays showed he might have had a penalty kick as another Stockport debutant, Corey O'Keeffe, pulled him back as he tried to reach the ball.

Stockport finally found their feet in the last five minutes of the first half as Owen Dodgson's excellent cross from the left was headed over by Wootton, who should have scored.

The home side carved Bolton open again through Jack Diamond in added time, and when Mothersille and Wootton both had shots blocked, the ball fell to Norwood. His shot was flashing wide but Mothersille, signed from Peterborough United last month, turned it past Teddy Sharman-Lowe for a goal against the run of play.

Stockport improved in the second half but John McAtee wasted a great chance, Conway sprinted forward and hammered a shot against the woodwork, and substitute Thierry Gale was denied by another sharp save from Addai.

Dave Challinor's team made sure of the points when Danny Andrew, signed on a one-month contract yesterday, whipped in a fine free-kick from the left and Wootton headed home.

Kyle Wootton heads Stockport's second goalGetty Images

Kyle Wootton heads Stockport's second goal against Bolton

What was the main talking point?

Bolton boss Schumacher handed starts to debutants Sharman-Lowe, Cozier-Duberry, Simons and Burstow, and brought on Gale to make his club bow from the bench.

With Stockport summer signings Mothersille and O'Keeffe also starting for the first time, and Andrew and Nathan Lowe making their debuts as substitutes, bedding in quickly was always going to be an issue for both teams.

Bolton certainly looked to have adapted the better, providing a goal threat they did not always have last season, although the fact they could not convert that to goals will be troubling for Schumacher.

Stockport were a long way from the strong form they showed towards the end of last season, which took them to within a penalty kick of the play-off final, but they worked their way into the game and Mothersille's first goal could not have been any better for Hatters' boss Challinor.

Which players stood out?

The fact that Addai was Stockport's best player tells the story of the game. The big goalkeeper showed great agility to keep out Bolton's attack, commanded his area, and looked good with his feet.

Wootton led the line well for the home side and scored, while Diamond's wing play prised the opening for the first goal.

Bolton had plenty of positives, not least the link between Cozier-Duberry and Dacres-Cogley down their right, which created several first-half chances, while debutant Gale had a bright cameo in the second half.

What's next for both teams?

Stockport visit Wycombe Wanderers and Bolton host Plymouth Argyle in their opening home fixture, both matches kicking off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, August 9.

'Didn't deserve to lose' - reaction

Stockport manager Dave Challinor told BBC Radio Manchester:

"It was a brilliant three points. I was disappointed with our first-half performance - we were lucky to go in, in front and would have been fortunate to go in level. I was desperate for half-time, when I could speak to the players.

"The second half was much better in terms of what I want our team to look like. We were a little bit clunky in possession, and had to change shape because of personnel we had available for the game.

"We want to be attacking and score goals, and pride ourselves on clean sheets. We had 18 last season and we want to improve on that, so it's one ticked off."

Challinor: 'Pleased but plenty to work on.'

Bolton manager Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester:

"It was a game we probably didn't deserve to lose. We created enough opportunities again in some brilliant areas and didn't make the most of them.

"In the two moments that mattered, they've been more clinical than we have. Disappointed to lose, but enough positivity in there against a really good team, as we've created enough to win the game.

"We were up against a side who pass and move the ball really well, but we were in control of those situations. I didn't feel we were under pressure for many moments, and we got into some good areas from an attacking point of view."

Schumacher: 'We didn't deserve to lose.'

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