Dave Challinor says Stockport ‘nowhere near good enough’ in defeat to Cambridge

Stockport manager Dave Challinor was frustrated with his side’s performance after they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the second-round stage by League Two Cambridge.

James Gibbons scored the winning spot-kick as Cambridge beat Stockport 5-4 on penalties after a cagey goalless 120 minutes.

Challinor conceded Stockport were well below par and did not deserve to win.

He said: “We were nowhere near good enough. We were flat, had no sort of vigour about us, and moved the ball far too slowly.

“I can’t find any positives to take away from the game at the moment. I will have to see how I feel when I have slept on it.

“Maybe people are not up to speed and not fit enough. I can make these excuses for them but, ultimately, it’s their job to perform.

“I am raging we haven’t won the game, but we have two massively important games coming up in League One on Tuesday and Saturday so our attention has to turn to that.”

Cambridge boss Neil Harris was delighted with his side’s performance – but thought they could have won the game in normal time.

He said: “We were disappointed not to win in 90 minutes, and disappointed not to win in 120, so it was fitting we took five excellent penalty kicks to win the game.

“We deserved to win, we were the better team over the course of the 120 minutes, grew into the game and stood strong when we had to.

“Some of our composure, especially leading into half-time and throughout in the second half, was outstanding.

“It’s not just a delight for the players, but for the fans that have travelled like absolute nutters all the way up here. I am over the moon we won for them.

“What a nice feeling it is for our football club to be able to look forward to the FA Cup draw on Monday night.”