PREVIEW: Stockport

Stockport come to town with a nine-game unbeaten run to protect and, in fact, with just two defeats from their last 19 League Two outings they are most definitely the division's form team.

They also have the division's second meanest defence, with just 34 conceded, with six of their last nine games bringing them shut-outs.

Fourth versus fifth means we have two teams on the coat tails of the automatic promotion places, so it has all the makings of an interesting evening of viewing. 

The middle of the park was bolstered further after the transfer window had closed when former Manchester City academy midfielder Jacob Davenport penned a contract until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old has been training with the Hatters since leaving Lincoln City. He also had two injury-disrupted seasons at Blackburn.

There's a lot of confidence knocking around in the Stockport squad but 14 goals and six assists from the reliable Kyle Wootton makes him our stand-out performer for this one. 

Two goals in the 4-0 defeat over Newport on Easter Monday got him back on the scoresheet following a relatively quiet spell, but he brings much more than finding the back of the net to the team.

He'll need to be looked after.

Click HERE to purchase a VIDEO match pass which will allow you to WATCH this game via our streaming iFollow service.

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

Myles Hippolyte and Kyle Wootton scored either side of the break to secure a win for the Hatters at home in October 2022.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The second-leg of the Auto Windscreens semi-final in March 1997 brought a 0-0 draw at Edgeley Park and progress to Wembley for the Deckhair Army (Stobart version).

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The first-leg of the Auto Windscreens semi-final in March 1997 was a charged affair, with both sides determined to get a foothold in the tie. Owen Archdeacon opened the scoring with a lovely finish just before the hour, and the same player netted from the spot in time added on after Sumo had been chopped to the floor.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Thomas Parsons
Assistant Referee 1 - Johnathon Bickerdike
Assistant Referee 2 - Bradley Hall
Fourth Official - Simon Clayton
Observer - Michael Pike

Our referee for this game is Mr Thomas Parsons. Thomas has taken charge of 25 games so far this season and has shown 113 yellow cards and four reds.

He was in charge of a Carlisle game for the first time in October 2022 when then table-toppers Leyton Orient came to town. It was an incident packed encounter, with goals from Ryan Edmondson and Jordan Gibson cancelled out by strikes from Theo Archibald (2) and Aaron Drinan. Edmondson was sent off in the first half, with Jordan Gibson, Jayden Harris, Paul Huntington and Jon Mellish also having their names taken. 

Tickets for this fixture are on sale now.

Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
• Internet – buy online HERE

Please note - persons under the age of 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Minors under the age of 14 will not be permitted entrance and parents / guardians will be called to collect the child and escort them from the premises.