Crawley substitute Armando Quitirna’s late penalty dramatically denied Stockport County a valuable fourth win in five league games, as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Broadfield Stadium. Stockport had taken the lead through the in-form Louie Barry, but a missed opportunity by midfielder Callum Camps proved costly, as Crawley capitalized to equalize and halt their run of two consecutive defeats.
Stockport got off to a blistering start, with Barry continuing his remarkable form. The Aston Villa loanee, fresh from being named League One Player of the Month for August, opened the scoring after just six minutes with a precise low shot from the left, marking his fifth goal in six games. Barry’s early goal seemed to set Stockport on course for another victory, putting Crawley under immediate pressure.
However, Crawley slowly worked their way back into the contest. Panutche Camara was a constant threat for the home side, but despite his efforts, the Red Devils struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening half. Stockport, meanwhile, looked to extend their lead, and Barry almost struck again just before halftime after a defensive error from Josh Flint, but his shot flew narrowly wide.
The second half saw Stockport create even more dangerous chances. Louie Barry was again involved, playing in Ollie Norwood, who shot wide from the edge of the area. But the game’s turning point came moments later, when Callum Camps had the chance to double Stockport’s lead and effectively seal the three points. A pinpoint cross from Tayo Adaramola found Camps in a perfect position, but the midfielder failed to convert, sending his shot agonizingly wide of the target.
That miss would come back to haunt Stockport, as Crawley found a way back into the game. In the 68th minute, Kyle Wootton’s push on substitute Armando Quitirna in the box earned the hosts a penalty. Quitirna stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly slotted the ball past former Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai, leveling the score and rescuing a point for the Red Devils.
Stockport’s coach was quick to acknowledge the significance of Camps’ missed opportunity, indicating that the team’s standards were not met in this instance. “Callum knows, and we all know, that we have to be better in those situations,” the coach stated after the match. “It was a clear chance to secure the win, and missing opportunities like that doesn’t fit our standard as a club. We expect more, and we’ll address that.”
The coach’s comments reflect Stockport’s determination to maintain high expectations as they aim for a promotion push. “In this league, you don’t get many chances, and when you do, you have to take them. That’s something we’ll be working on with Callum and the rest of the team.”
Despite the frustration of the missed opportunity, Camps has been a key figure for Stockport this season, and the coach remains confident that he will bounce back. “Callum has contributed massively for us, but today was a reminder that we need to be clinical. We set high standards as a club, and we’ll ensure we keep to them.”
Camps’ miss was a defining moment in what could have been another solid win for Stockport. Instead, Crawley, buoyed by their equalizer, will feel relieved to have avoided a third straight defeat. While Stockport can take heart from their overall performance, the dropped points will sting, especially considering the control they held for much of the game.
Louie Barry once again shone for County, but even his brilliance wasn’t enough to overcome Crawley’s resilience. Stockport’s coach will undoubtedly review this match closely and demand a higher level of finishing from his squad in the matches to come.
Looking ahead, Stockport will need to shake off the disappointment quickly as they prepare for their next fixture. Camps will also face further scrutiny after this match, but with the coach’s support and a strong track record behind him, he’ll look to rebound and help Stockport remain in contention near the top of the League One standings.
For Crawley, the point represents a step in the right direction, but they still have work to do to climb up the table. Stockport, on the other hand, will rue what could have been, knowing that Camps’ missed chance was the difference between one point and three.
