Dave Challinor praises Stockport win but wants security of a bigger scoreline

Dave Challinor says he is happy with Stockport’s efforts after their 1-0 win against Exeter.

County made it six unbeaten matches in League One thanks to Nathan Lowe’s goal at Edgeley Park, and the manager feels there is more to come.

“I’m happy to win, obviously,” he said.

“We haven’t started the season brilliantly, but we needed to perform and we’ve done that.

“We’ve put ourselves in a really good position.

“We’ve had chances in the last four or five games to score more than more than one goal and it’s not a concern because we’re making chances and, thankfully, we’ve been a whole lot tighter than we had been, and we’re not conceding lots of opportunities.

“I want as much as anyone to go and get a second goal.

“I think we’d be a different team because it will sort of release the shackles a little bit.

“When you’re 1-0 you’re always going to be a little bit wary that one mistake, or one moment of bad luck or good play from them can result in you being back level.

“Over the last few years we’ve been a high-scoring team and defensively really solid, and I’m OK with where the balance is at the moment.

“I’d like to be sat there two or three up and that’s not the case at the moment but I’m sure we’ll get there.”

After Exeter were caught in traffic, causing a 15-minute delay the game, Grecians boss Gary Caldwell was frustrated they did not have some reward to take on their long journey home.

“I didn’t think we deserved to come in 1-0 down at half time,” he said.

“I thought it was a 50-50 game.

“In the first half it was important that we got ourselves into the game. We had a tactic to play a bit longer and try and play in their half and be really aggressive out of position, which I thought worked well to an extent.

“We could have looked after the ball better when we got in their half but they gave us a problem with Jack Diamond coming in off the left.

“He’s a good player, he’s caused every team problems but they didn’t really look like scoring, and to concede from a set piece is always disappointing.

“We regrouped at half time, changed the shape and totally controlled the game, and we created really good moments.

“It’s a big frustration, that outcome, but I’m happy with a lot of the performance.

“I’m proud of how we pushed one of the top teams but I want more.

“I believe there is more in the players. We know these players have got it in them, and they have to find that belief and create more opportunities.

“I’ll back these players but they need to find that belief in themselves.”