Stockport gain a point with 'siege mentality'

Stockport, bottom of the First Division, ground out a 0-0 draw for a vital away point at Crewe last night.

After a tense opening it was Stockport who should have taken an early lead. Shefki Kuqi raced clear of the Crewe back-line after Efe Sodje slipped and only a brilliant block from the goalkeeper Ademole Bankole prevented a goal.

After that Stockport struggled to break down Crewe's defence and were reduced to shooting from distance, Fredrik Bryngelsson went close from 35 yards after 75 minutes.

"People who have only seen us at home would have thought that was a completely different team," said Andy Kilner, the Stockport manager. "We need to develop a siege mentality at home and a performance like this one at home, and a win, would change things around.

"I thought we deserved to win the game, but we are pleased to get a point and we shouldn't underestimate the importance of that."

In the Second Division, Giuliano Grazioli scored twice to give Swindon a 2-0 win over Cambridge. Elsewhere, high-scoring Cardiff made it 12 goals in three games with a 2-0 win at Port Vale. Spencer Prior and last season's top scorer Robert Earnshaw got the goals for the Bluebirds.